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Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Revealed March 2011
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GH1
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH3
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
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic GH2 versus Panasonic ZS20, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both manufactured by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GH2 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very similar but the GH2 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") feature different sensor measurements.

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The GH2 was introduced 13 months earlier than the ZS20 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the GH2 scores versus the ZS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Panasonic ZS20

 GH2 ZS20 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic GH2

 ZS20 GH2 
AnnouncedApril 2012March 2011Fresher by 13 months

Common features in the Panasonic GH2 and Panasonic ZS20

 GH2 ZS20 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH2 offers outside dimensions of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GH2 versus Panasonic ZS20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the GH2 versus the ZS20.

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH2 and ZS20 is 70 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading a spec sheet. The photograph below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GH2 and ZS20.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GH2 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic GH2 will offer extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older GH2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH2
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
70
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
30
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography details
68
fully articulated screen
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
65
image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus via touch
lighter than competition (206g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
46
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (330 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
provides tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
62
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse mode
low battery pack (330 per charge)
68
lighter than competition (206g)
offers focus via touch
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography info
60
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (330 shots)
no Timelapse mode
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
low battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
supports face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone support
lack of image stabilization
34
quite wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (206g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH2 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-03-23 2012-04-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
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 16 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
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 15.60 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
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 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 AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 442g (0.97 pounds) 206g (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 60 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 655 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 260 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $1,000 $349