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Panasonic S1 vs Sony TX20

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Panasonic S1 vs Sony TX20 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Revealed February 2019
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Launched February 2012
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S1 vs Sony TX20 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Panasonic S1 and Sony TX20, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the S1 (24MP) and TX20 (16MP) and the S1 (Full frame) and TX20 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizes.

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The S1 was revealed 7 years later than the TX20 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the S1 grades vs the TX20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony TX20

 S1 TX20 
LaunchedFebruary 2019February 2012Fresher by 85 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k922kCrisper screen (+1178k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Panasonic S1

 TX20 S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony TX20

 S1 TX20 
Focus manually More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic S1 vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 features 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) while the Sony TX20 has specifications of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic S1 and Sony TX20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the S1 compared to the TX20.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and TX20 is 54 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by checking a spec sheet. The visual here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and TX20.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S1 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Panasonic S1 will resolve more detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The newer S1 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography advice
Sony TX20 Portrait photography advice
85
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/320 seconds)
good MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
40
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Street photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Street photography camera
70
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
includes focus by touch
environment proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (1,021 grams)
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
environment sealing
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography information
Sony TX20 Sports photography information
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
bad battery power (380 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery (250 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Travel photography camera
59
environment proof
has bluetooth
includes focus by touch
good MP (24MP)
bad battery power (380 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (1,021 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
72
great battery (250 per charge)
environment sealing
includes touch focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony TX20 Landscape photography highlights
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
bad battery power (380 per charge)
52
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
environment sealing
great battery (250 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging details
Sony TX20 Vlogging details
32
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (1,021 grams)
35
quite wide (25mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Sony TX20
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Class Pro Mirrorless Ultracompact
Revealed 2019-02-01 2012-02-28
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 51200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
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 225 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-4.6
Macro focus range - 1cm
Total lenses 30 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 2,100k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.70 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, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/320 seconds -
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), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1021g (2.25 lb) 133g (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 pictures 250 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 One
Pricing at launch $2,498 $330