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Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released November 2008
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LX5
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
  • Released April 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic LX3 and Panasonic ZS20, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and ZS20 (14MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and ZS20 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

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The LX3 was brought out 4 years before the ZS20 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the LX3 grades vs the ZS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Panasonic ZS20

 LX3 ZS20 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic LX3

 ZS20 LX3 
ReleasedApril 2012November 2008Fresher by 42 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Panasonic ZS20

 LX3 ZS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LX3 enjoys physical dimensions of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic LX3 and Panasonic ZS20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the LX3 versus the ZS20.

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the LX3 and ZS20 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through specifications. The graphic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the LX3 and ZS20.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The LX3 due to its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic ZS20 will provide you with extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older LX3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
40
focusing manually
saves RAW files
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
30
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/1.63")
heavier than competition in class (265 grams)
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
lack of phase detect AF
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic LX3
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
60
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (265g)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
comes with touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LX3
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
52
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
does not have Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery life (260 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
30
decently wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
heavier than competition in class (265g)
34
rather wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external microphone support
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2008-11-04 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-60mm (2.5x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-2.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 4.5 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.30 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265 grams (0.58 pounds) 206 grams (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 39 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 94 not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $449 $349