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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-11
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched July 2011
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Replacement is Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic LZ20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-11 (14MP) and the LZ20 (16MP) is very similar and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-11 was announced 11 months prior to the LZ20 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-11 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SZ-11 matches up versus the LZ20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Panasonic LZ20

 SZ-11 LZ20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus SZ-11

 LZ20 SZ-11 
IntroducedJuly 2012July 2011More modern by 11 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic LZ20

 SZ-11 LZ20 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-11 provides outer measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ20 has specifications of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic LZ20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-11 and the LZ20.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-11 and LZ20 is 89 and 71 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to see the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The pic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-11 and LZ20.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic LZ20 to offer extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SZ-11 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography factors
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
36
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography features
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography features
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than others (499g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Sports photography camera
43
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-11
Travel photography with Panasonic LZ20
65
lighter than others (226g)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (200 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
58
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (499g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography factors
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery life (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
45
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Vlogging factors
Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging factors
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
lighter than others (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
25
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
heavier than others (499g)
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus SZ-11Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-11 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-27 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 6.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 499g (1.10 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
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 200 images 380 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $253 $250