recommendations

Relative to the best recent super zooms, and ignoring price

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
71 vs 74
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38.

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon SX20 IS

Zoom More zoom 20x vs 18x
Help
More than 20% more zoom
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Macro focus Slightly better macro capability 0 cm vs 1 cm
Help
Almost the same
True resolution Slightly higher resolution 9.8 MP vs 9.8 MP
Help
Almost the same
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/3200s vs 1/2000s
Help
60% faster max shutter speed
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Learn more about
the Canon SX20 IS

Reasons to consider the Panasonic DMC-FZ38

Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
Screen size Larger screen 2.7" vs 2.5"
Help
Around 10% larger screen
Size Smaller 118x76x89 mm vs 128x88x87 mm
Help
More than 20% smaller
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 6,400 ISO vs None
Help
Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Weight Significantly lighter 397 g vs 600 g
Help
More than 50% lighter
Wide-angle Slightly better wide-angle 27 mm vs 28 mm
Help
Almost the same
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 2.3 fps vs 0.7 fps
Help
Around 3.5x faster continuous shooting
Longest exposure Much longer exposures 60s vs 15s
Help
4x longer exposures
Lowest price Cheaper $315.40 vs $369.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $54 cheaper (around 20% less)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-FZ38
vs

similarities

Compared to recent digicams

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Zoom Great zoom Help
SX20 IS:20x
DMC-FZ38:18x
Aperture Wide aperture Help
f/2.8
Macro focus Good macro capabilities Help
SX20 IS:0 cm
DMC-FZ38:1 cm
Image stabilization Good image stabilization Help
Lens
Viewfinder Both have digital viewfinders Help
Digital
Thickness Quite thick Help
SX20 IS:3.4"
DMC-FZ38:3.5"
Lowest price Very expensive Help
SX20 IS:$369.00
DMC-FZ38:$315.40
Weight Heavy Help
SX20 IS:600 g
DMC-FZ38:397 g
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
1,600 ISO
Size Large Help
SX20 IS:128x88x87 mm
DMC-FZ38:118x76x89 mm
Screen size Very small screens Help
SX20 IS:2.5"
DMC-FZ38:2.7"

Compared to recent super zooms

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
SX20 IS:1/3200s
DMC-FZ38:1/2000s
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Sensor type Lower-end sensor types Help
CCD
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
SX20 IS:0.7 fps
DMC-FZ38:2.3 fps

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon Coolpix P100

Nikon Coolpix P100

Super zoom

$339 - $400

Zoom Has much more zoom
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

Super zoom

$350 - $380

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
True resolution Takes much lower resolution photos
Weight Is significantly heavier
Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Super zoom

$410 - $430

Zoom Has way more more zoom
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

Super zoom

$499

Zoom Has significantly more zoom
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Canon PowerShot G11

Canon PowerShot G11

Pro digicam

$447 - $520

Size Is much smaller
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Movie format Records lower quality movies
Olympus SP-800 UZ

Olympus SP-800 UZ

Super zoom

$257 - $350

Zoom Has way more more zoom
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
Weight Is slightly heavier
Nikon Coolpix L110

Nikon Coolpix L110

Super zoom

$238 - $280

Size Is significantly smaller
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
Aperture Has a significantly narrower aperture

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45

Super zoom

Zoom Significantly more zoom
Screen size Significantly larger screen
Size Larger
Weight Heavier

appearance

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

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