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Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Revealed February 2019
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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Lets look closer at the Panasonic S1 versus Panasonic ZS20, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the S1 (24MP) and ZS20 (14MP) and the S1 (Full frame) and ZS20 (1/2.3") feature different sensor measurements.

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The S1 was released 6 years later than the ZS20 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the S1 matches up against the ZS20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S1 ZS20 
IntroducedFebruary 2019April 2012Fresher by 83 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k460kCrisper display (+1640k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic S1

 ZS20 S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Panasonic ZS20

 S1 ZS20 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 offers external measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") and a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S1 versus Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the S1 compared to the ZS20.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and ZS20 is 54 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by reading through specs. The graphic here may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and ZS20.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S1 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic S1 will give extra detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more modern S1 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography factors
85
manual focus
high flash sync (1/320s)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
30
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
70
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
weather proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition in class (1,021g)
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus via touch
lighter than competition (206g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography info
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather proof
low battery life (380 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography features
59
weather proof
has bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
low battery life (380 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (1,021 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition (206 grams)
offers focus via touch
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S1
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
low battery life (380 CIPA)
42
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging details
32
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (1,021 grams)
34
really wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (206g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no microphone jack
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Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2019-02-01 2012-04-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24 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
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 225 23
Lens
Lens mount Leica L fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Available lenses 30 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 2,100 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/8000s -
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/320s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1021g (2.25 lb) 206g (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 95 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 3333 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photos 260 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Dual 1
Launch cost $2,498 $349