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Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
83
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic GX85
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 122 x 71 x 44mm
  • Launched April 2016
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II
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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Panasonic. The resolution of the GX85 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very comparable but the GX85 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GX85 was brought out 4 years later than the ZS20 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GX85 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the GX85 grades versus the ZS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX85 over the Panasonic ZS20

 GX85 ZS20 
AnnouncedApril 2016April 2012More recent by 48 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic GX85

 ZS20 GX85 

Common features in the Panasonic GX85 and Panasonic ZS20

 GX85 ZS20 
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic GX85 has outside measurements of 122mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 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).

Check the Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the GX85 compared to the ZS20.

Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the GX85 and ZS20 is 83 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements purely by going through a spec sheet. The photograph here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the GX85 and ZS20.

As you can see, both of those cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GX85 because of its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic GX85 will produce extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The newer GX85 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
72
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
30
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GX85
Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
83
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
good high ISO (25,600)
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
lighter than average in class (206g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography advice
62
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
bad battery (290 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GX85
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
68
boasts touch focus
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
bad battery (290 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
68
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
includes touch to focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery life (260 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GX85
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
bad battery (290 CIPA)
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery life (260 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX85 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
35
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
missing mic jack
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have mic jack
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Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX85 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-04-05 2012-04-26
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
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 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
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,764k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 8.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m (at ISO 200) 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (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 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426 gr (0.94 lb) 206 gr (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 71 x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 662 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 shots 260 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $800 $349