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Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic FX90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 102 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed August 2011
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
  • Released April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Panasonic FX90 and Panasonic ZS20, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Panasonic. The resolution of the FX90 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FX90 was revealed 8 months prior to the ZS20 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the FX90 matches up vs the ZS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX90 over the Panasonic ZS20

 FX90 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic FX90

 ZS20 FX90 
ReleasedApril 2012August 2011Fresher by 8 months

Common features in the Panasonic FX90 and Panasonic ZS20

 FX90 ZS20 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FX90 features exterior dimensions of 102mm x 56mm x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FX90 and Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the FX90 versus the ZS20.

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FX90 and ZS20 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through a spec sheet. The graphic here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FX90 and ZS20.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS20 to provide greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older FX90 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
21
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
30
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography features
62
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
65
image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch to focus
lighter than average in class (206g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
30
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery (260 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography details
60
includes focus by touch
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery (200 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
68
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
supports touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
no Time Lapse function
low battery (260 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography details
36
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery (260 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging information
33
rather wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone jack
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (206g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no mic port
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Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX90 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-08-26 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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias 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
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.90 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
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, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (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
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 149g (0.33 lb) 206g (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 56 x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" 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 200 photographs 260 photographs
Battery form 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
Launch pricing $227 $349