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Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF1
  • Updated by Panasonic GF3
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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic GF2 and Panasonic ZS20, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GF2 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very comparable but the GF2 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The GF2 was announced 14 months earlier than the ZS20 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the GF2 grades vs the ZS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Panasonic ZS20

 GF2 ZS20 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic GF2

 ZS20 GF2 
AnnouncedApril 2012February 2011Fresher by 14 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF2 and Panasonic ZS20

 GF2 ZS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GF2 has got outside dimensions of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GF2 and Panasonic ZS20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the GF2 vs the ZS20.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the GF2 and ZS20 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor sizing purely by going through a spec sheet. The visual below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF2 and ZS20.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GF2 using its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic ZS20 will show extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older GF2 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
30
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography features
65
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
lighter than competition (206 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography factors
38
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (300 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography information
52
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (300 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition (206g)
includes focus via touch
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Timelapse recording
bad battery (260 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (300 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery (260 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging factors
32
touchscreen
comes with face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
34
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF2 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-02-24 2012-04-26
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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 720p (60, 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 310 grams (0.68 pounds) 206 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 506 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots 260 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $330 $349