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Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic L1
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2007
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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and ZS20 (14MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizing.

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The L1 was released 6 years prior to the ZS20 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic L1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the L1 scores versus the ZS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 L1 ZS20 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic L1

 ZS20 L1 
IntroducedApril 2012April 2007More recent by 61 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k207kCrisper screen (+253k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Panasonic ZS20

 L1 ZS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic L1 features outer dimensions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") with a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the L1 against the ZS20.

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the L1 and ZS20 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the L1 and ZS20.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The L1 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic ZS20 will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 7 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The older L1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
54
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
30
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
58
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (606g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic L1 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography advice
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7MP)
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
50
lighter than competition (606g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (7MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition in class (206g)
has focus by touch
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery pack (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic L1 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography factors
47
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
42
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery pack (260 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic L1
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
9
can't record video
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (206g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
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Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2007-04-11 2012-04-26
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
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 7 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3136 x 2352 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 3 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 207k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
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
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 606 gr (1.34 lbs) 206 gr (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $1,500 $349