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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Olympus FE-5020 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Olympus FE-5020
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 24-120mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 137g - 93 x 56 x 25mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Additionally referred to as X-935
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic ZS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the FE-5020 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very close and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FE-5020 was introduced 3 years earlier than the ZS20 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the FE-5020 scores against the ZS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-5020 over the Panasonic ZS20

 FE-5020 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus FE-5020

 ZS20 FE-5020 
AnnouncedApril 2012July 2009More modern by 33 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic ZS20

 FE-5020 ZS20 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus FE-5020 has outside dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 137 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Examine the Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the FE-5020 against the ZS20.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the FE-5020 and ZS20 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizes purely by looking through a spec sheet. The image here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FE-5020 and ZS20.

Clearly, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS20 to result in extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged FE-5020 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
21
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
30
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
60
environment proof
lighter than competition (137 grams)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features touch to focus
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
24
environment proof
low maximum shutter speed (1/500s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus FE-5020
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
65
lighter than competition (137 grams)
environment proof
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than competitors (206g)
features touch to focus
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography information
31
really wide (24mm)
environment proof
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery (260 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging info
28
really wide (24mm)
lighter than competition (137 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic support
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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus FE-5020Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus FE-5020 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also Known as X-935 Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-07-22 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.10 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 137g (0.30 lbs) 206g (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type xD-Picture Card, microSD SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $160 $349