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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-11
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Below is a extensive overview of the Olympus SZ-11 versus Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-11 (14MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-11 was brought out 9 months earlier than the ZS20 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the SZ-11 matches up against the ZS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Panasonic ZS20

 SZ-11 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus SZ-11

 ZS20 SZ-11 
LaunchedApril 2012July 2011More recent by 9 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic ZS20

 SZ-11 ZS20 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-11 enjoys exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-11 versus Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-11 versus the ZS20.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-11 and ZS20 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements just by looking at technical specs. The graphic below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-11 and ZS20.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of photos however you really should take the launch date of the products into consideration. The older SZ-11 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography details
33
MP count decent (14MP)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
30
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography information
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than others (206 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography information
43
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average (226g)
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than others (206g)
comes with touch to focus
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (260 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography details
40
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than average (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic socket
34
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic jack
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus SZ-11Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-11 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-27 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 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
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 206 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 photographs 260 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $253 $349