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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Successor is Panasonic GF2
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
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Panasonic GF1 versus Panasonic ZS20, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Panasonic. The resolution of the GF1 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very similar but the GF1 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The GF1 was released 3 years prior to the ZS20 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the GF1 scores against the ZS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 GF1 ZS20 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic GF1

 ZS20 GF1 
ReleasedApril 2012October 2009More modern by 30 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic ZS20

 GF1 ZS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF1 provides external dimensions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GF1 versus Panasonic ZS20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the GF1 vs the ZS20.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GF1 and ZS20 is 85 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF1 and ZS20.

To sum up, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GF1 featuring a larger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Panasonic ZS20 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged GF1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
30
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF1
Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
64
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
65
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
lighter than competition (206g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
44
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
great battery pack (380 shots)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
has no phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography details
59
great battery pack (380 per charge)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition (206 grams)
boasts touch focus
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
60
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (380 shots)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF1
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
25
supports face detect focus
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone support
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (206 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-10-14 2012-04-26
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 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
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 385g (0.85 lbs) 206g (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 513 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photos 260 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $400 $349