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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Panasonic FX78 versus Panasonic ZS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Panasonic. The resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very close and they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The FX78 was announced 15 months prior to the ZS20 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a quick view of how the FX78 matches up against the ZS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Panasonic ZS20

 FX78 ZS20 
Display dimension3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic FX78

 ZS20 FX78 
RevealedApril 2012January 2011Fresher by 15 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS20

 FX78 ZS20 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FX78 enjoys external measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications 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 FX78 versus Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the FX78 vs the ZS20.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the FX78 and ZS20 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing specs. The graphic here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FX78 and ZS20.

All in all, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS20 to render greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics much more aggressively. The older FX78 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
30
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography details
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography information
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,400 seconds)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (200 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography factors
56
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery (200 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
68
lighter than competition in class (206g)
features focus by touch
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
no Timelapse function
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
36
quite wide (24mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
lack of manual mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery power (260 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging features
33
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone jack
34
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (206g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone jack
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called Lumix DMC-FX77 Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-01-25 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
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 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1400 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142g (0.31 lb) 206g (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 200 photographs 260 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $210 $349