• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS50 advantages over Canon SX420 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 195 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 85 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    243g vs 325g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 0.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX420 IS advantages over Panasonic ZS50

  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,008 mm vs 720 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More pixels
    20.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS50

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX420 IS

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS40
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels
Canon SX420 IS
Panasonic ZS40
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Faster shutter
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS35
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More pixels
Canon SX420 IS
Panasonic ZS35
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter
Canon SX420 IS
Canon SX700 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compared to Canon SX400 IS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX400 IS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
Canon SX420 IS
Canon SX400 IS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus

Compared to Canon SX410 IS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX410 IS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
Canon SX420 IS
Canon SX410 IS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
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