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Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX40
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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Panasonic. The resolution of the FX48 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FX48 was announced 4 years before the ZS20 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the FX48 scores vs the ZS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Panasonic ZS20

 FX48 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic FX48

 ZS20 FX48 
AnnouncedApril 2012January 2009Fresher by 39 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Panasonic ZS20

 FX48 ZS20 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FX48 provides external measurements of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the FX48 against the ZS20.

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX48 and ZS20 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specifications. The visual below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the FX48 and ZS20.

Plainly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZS20 to deliver greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The older FX48 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
27
offers face detect focus
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
30
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
65
image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
lighter than average in class (206g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (260 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography information
58
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
features focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery (260 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
33
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
30
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone port
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic port
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Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX48 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FX40 Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-01-27 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-125mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 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 distance 6.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 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 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150g (0.33 pounds) 206g (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $325 $349