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Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
81
Imaging
50
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Later Model is Panasonic GH2
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
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are produced by Panasonic. The resolution of the GH1 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very comparable but the GH1 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizing.

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The GH1 was launched 3 years before the ZS20 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the GH1 scores against the ZS20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 GH1 ZS20 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic GH1

 ZS20 GH1 
ReleasedApril 2012July 2009More modern by 34 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Panasonic ZS20

 GH1 ZS20 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution

Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH1 has external dimensions of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the GH1 compared to the ZS20.

Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the GH1 and ZS20 is 81 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out specifications. The pic underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the GH1 and ZS20.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GH1 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZS20 will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged GH1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
30
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH1
Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
72
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
lighter than competition (206 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
33
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (320 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (260 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH1
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
58
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (320 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
68
lighter than competition (206 grams)
has touch focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery (260 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography factors
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (320 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
42
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging factors
72
selfie friendly screen
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic jack
does not have image stabilization
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (206g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone port
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Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-07-10 2012-04-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 18.89 x 14.48mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 273.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 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 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 1.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.50 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 385 grams (0.85 lbs) 206 grams (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 772 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 images 260 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $949 $349