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Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Olympus FE-4000 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Olympus FE-4000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Alternative Name is X-925
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched April 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Olympus FE-4000 and Panasonic ZS20, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the FE-4000 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FE-4000 was released 3 years earlier than the ZS20 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the FE-4000 scores against the ZS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-4000 over the Panasonic ZS20

 FE-4000 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus FE-4000

 ZS20 FE-4000 
LaunchedApril 2012July 2009Fresher by 33 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus FE-4000 and Panasonic ZS20

 FE-4000 ZS20 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus FE-4000 provides external dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Olympus FE-4000 and Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the FE-4000 against the ZS20.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FE-4000 and ZS20 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing merely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the FE-4000 and ZS20.

As you can see, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic ZS20 to give more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older FE-4000 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
30
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
55
lighter than competition (136g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
17
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus FE-4000
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
62
lighter than competition (136 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
68
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
includes focus by touch
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery life (260 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
28
relatively wide (26mm)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus FE-4000
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
28
relatively wide (26mm)
lighter than competition (136 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic support
34
quite wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4000 and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus FE-4000Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus FE-4000 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called as X-925 Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-07-22 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-105mm (4.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 grams (0.30 lbs) 206 grams (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $130 $349