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Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus TG-860
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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS25
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Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-870 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-870 was released 3 years after the ZS20 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the TG-870 grades against the ZS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Panasonic ZS20

 TG-870 ZS20 
RevealedJanuary 2016April 2012Newer by 45 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus TG-870

 ZS20 TG-870 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Panasonic ZS20

 TG-870 ZS20 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus TG-870 offers outside measurements of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-870 versus the ZS20.

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the TG-870 and ZS20 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The pic here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-870 and ZS20.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus TG-870 to show extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher TG-870 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
36
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
30
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
65
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competitors (221g)
65
image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-870
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
51
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery power (300 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (260 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-870
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
69
great battery power (300 shots)
weather proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (21mm)
heavier than competitors (221 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
includes touch to focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (260 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography info
50
reasonably wide (21mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
great battery power (300 per charge)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
32
reasonably wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competitors (221 grams)
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone port
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Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-01-06 2012-04-26
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 221 gr (0.49 pounds) 206 gr (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 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 300 images 260 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $280 $349