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Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Launched July 2011
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 Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS25
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Panasonic LS5 versus Panasonic ZS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Panasonic. The image resolution of the LS5 (14MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The LS5 was launched 9 months earlier than the ZS20 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short view of how the LS5 grades vs the ZS20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Panasonic ZS20

 LS5 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic LS5

 ZS20 LS5 
RevealedApril 2012July 2011More recent by 9 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic LS5 and Panasonic ZS20

 LS5 ZS20 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LS5 has outside measurements of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 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).

See the Panasonic LS5 versus Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the LS5 and the ZS20.

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the LS5 and ZS20 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor measurements just by going through specifications. The visual below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the LS5 and ZS20.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of files though you would want to take the release date of the cameras into account. The older LS5 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LS5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
30
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography highlights
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
65
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than competition in class (206g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LS5 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (160 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (260 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery power (160 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition in class (206g)
comes with touch focus
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (260 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography highlights
36
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery power (160 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery life (260 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging advice
32
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
34
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LS5 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-21 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.60 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 grams (0.28 pounds) 206 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 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 160 shots 260 shots
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $294 $349