Panasonic DMC FZ38 vs Canon Powershot SX20 IS Comparison
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38
Canon Powershot SX20 IS
The Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38 and the Canon Powershot SX20 IS are two well matched super zoom cameras. They both offer excellent picture quality and they also offer a wide range of features. These cameras are well suited to anyone who sees photography as a hobby.
Basic Specification
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38
12 megapixels
18x Optical Zoom
2.7 inch LCD screen
Viewfinder
Manual Exposure
Macro Focus: 1cm
Dimensions: 117.6 x 75.8 x 88.9mm
Weight: 367g
Conversion lens compatible
High Definition movies
Canon Powershot SX20 IS
12 megapixels
20. wide angle optical zoom
2.5 inch LCD screen
Viewfinder
Manual Exposure
Macro Focus 0cm
Dimensions: 124.0 x 88.3 x 86.9mm
Weight: 560g
Not conversion lens compatible
High Definition Movies
Features
Compared with the majority of super zoom digital cameras these models offer a few extras when it comes to features. For example the Powershot SX20 IS has an LCD screen that you can pull away from the camera body and twist round to an angle of your choice. This is a big help if you are taking a photo at an awkward angle or just trying to avoid the sun striking the LCD screen. On the top of the camera you will find a hotshoe. This makes the Powershot SX20 IS compatible with a range of Canon speedlites. This helps to boost your options for using flash in lowlight.
With the Lumix DMC FZ38 you are able to shoot in RAW mode. This feature is popular with photographers who use image manipulation packages such as Photoshop.
When it comes to movies these are two of the most advanced cameras on the market. Both are capable of shooting in High Definition. There are only a small number of cameras that allow you to zoom in and out while shooting a movie. Again both these cameras have that option. They are also among the very small number of digital cameras capable of recording stereo sound with movie footage.
Another feature worth mentioning is the ability to increase the amount of zoom on offer if you reduce the resolution you are shooting at. This adds extra flexibility. As you would expect with this length of lens image stabilisation is available too.
Design
The design of each camera runs along similar lines. They are both modeled on Digital SLRs with a good sized grip available to help you hold the camera steady. The Lumix DMC FZ38 is slightly more compact and is considerably lighter.
Start Up and Shutter Lag
Although the Powershot SX20 IS produced the faster time when taking a single shot without flash, the Lumix DMC FZ38 beat it in every other test including the time taken to turn the camera on and take the first shot.
Power Supply
There is a difference here as the Lumix DMC FZ38 runs on a lithium ion battery while the Powershot SX20 IS uses 4 AA batteries. I would suggest buying rechargeable batteries for this camera to keep running costs down.
Picture Quality
It is a close call when it comes to picture quality. One problem I noticed with the Powershot SX20 IS was that purple fringing could be an issue when the lens is fully zoomed out. The Lumix DMC FZ38 did a better job at controlling fringing in my tests. Both cameras produced high quality macro test shots.
Ease of Use
As you would expect these two cameras are among the more complex compact cameras. This is mainly due to the variety of controls and features they offer. To get the most out of either camera will take time.
Verdict
There is not a great deal to choose between the two cameras. I like the flip out and twist LCD screen the Canon Powershot SX20 IS has and the hotshoe gives you extra options if you think you are likely to carry out a lot of lowlight photography. Aside from that I have been very impressed by the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38. In my view it offers a little extra value and if I was looking for a good quality super zoom camera this would be my own personal choice out of these two cameras.
Where to Buy - Canon Powershot SX20 IS
Product Shots
Front View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38
Canon Powershot SX20 IS
Back View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38
Canon Powershot SX20 IS
Top View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ38
Canon Powershot SX20 IS
