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Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS11
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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Panasonic. The resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively similar and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FH3 was unveiled 3 years prior to the ZS20 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summation of how the FH3 scores against the ZS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Panasonic ZS20

 FH3 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic FH3

 ZS20 FH3 
IntroducedApril 2012January 2010Fresher by 28 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Panasonic ZS20

 FH3 ZS20 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH3 offers physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the FH3 against the ZS20.

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the FH3 and ZS20 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to see the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over specs. The graphic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH3 and ZS20.

All in all, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP and you should expect similar quality of photographs although you might want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The older FH3 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
30
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (206g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography information
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
64
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition in class (206g)
offers focus via touch
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (260 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FH3
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
37
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
42
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging details
29
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
34
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called as Lumix DMC-FS11 Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-01-06 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165g (0.36 pounds) 206g (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 260 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $160 $349