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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GH3
  • Successor is Panasonic GH5
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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic ZS20, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GH4 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very close but the GH4 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The GH4 was released 22 months later than the ZS20 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the GH4 matches up vs the ZS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Panasonic ZS20

 GH4 ZS20 
RevealedFebruary 2014April 2012More recent by 22 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1036k460kCrisper display (+576k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic GH4

 ZS20 GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic ZS20

 GH4 ZS20 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH4 has got exterior measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has measurements 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 GH4 and Panasonic ZS20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the GH4 compared to the ZS20.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the GH4 and ZS20 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by researching specs. The photograph underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the GH4 and ZS20.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GH4 featuring a larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic GH4 will provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern GH4 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography highlights
71
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
30
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography information
71
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
offers touch to focus
weather proofing
lighter than competition in class (560g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
65
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
lighter than average (206g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography details
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography info
77
lighter than competition in class (560 grams)
weather proofing
offers touch to focus
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
68
lighter than average (206 grams)
includes focus via touch
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery power (260 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH4
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
no image stabilization
42
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery power (260 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
71
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
has face detection autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic socket
lighter than competition in class (560g)
no image stabilization
34
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (206g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-02-07 2012-04-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IX -
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 16MP 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 resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,036k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 12.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (24p, 25p, 30p), 1920 x 1080 (24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p), 1280 x 720 (24p, 25p, 30p), 640 x 480 (25p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 560 gr (1.23 lbs) 206 gr (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 791 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 images 260 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $1,500 $349