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Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
90
Imaging
55
Features
70
Overall
61
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic GX850
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Released January 2017
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-GX800 / Lumix DMC-GF9
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Panasonic GX850 and Panasonic ZS20, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GX850 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the GX850 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The GX850 was announced 4 years after the ZS20 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GX850 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a quick summary of how the GX850 scores versus the ZS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX850 over the Panasonic ZS20

 GX850 ZS20 
RevealedJanuary 2017April 2012Newer by 58 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic GX850

 ZS20 GX850 

Common features in the Panasonic GX850 and Panasonic ZS20

 GX850 ZS20 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GX850 has got outside dimensions of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GX850 and Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the GX850 vs the ZS20.

Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GX850 and ZS20 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through specs. The picture below might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GX850 and ZS20.

All in all, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GX850 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic GX850 will show more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer GX850 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX850 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
66
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
can't use external flash
30
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX850 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography info
80
screen tilts
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
provides focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than others in class (206g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GX850
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
52
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/500s)
no image stabilization
low battery (210 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX850 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography advice
79
provides focus via touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
low battery (210 shots)
68
lighter than others in class (206 grams)
provides focus by touch
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX850 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography advice
71
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
low battery (210 CIPA)
42
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX850 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging features
73
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
no image stabilization
does not have external mic socket
34
relatively wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (206 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
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Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX850 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-GX800 / Lumix DMC-GF9 Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2017-01-04 2012-04-26
Physical type 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 surface 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
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/2000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264 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 port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269g (0.59 lb) 206g (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 586 not tested
Other
Battery life 210 shots 260 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2, 10 sec, 3 images/10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type microSD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $548 $349