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Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Renewed by Panasonic LZ30
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Here is a in-depth review of the Panasonic LZ20 versus Panasonic S2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Panasonic. The resolution of the LZ20 (16MP) and the S2 (14MP) is very close and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The LZ20 was released 7 months later than the S2 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the LZ20 scores vs the S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Panasonic S2

 LZ20 S2 
LaunchedJuly 2012January 2012Fresher by 7 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Panasonic LZ20

 S2 LZ20 

Common features in the Panasonic LZ20 and Panasonic S2

 LZ20 S2 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic LZ20 offers external measurements of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") having a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Panasonic S2 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic LZ20 versus Panasonic S2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the LZ20 and the S2.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the LZ20 and S2 is 71 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the LZ20 and S2.

As you can see, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic LZ20 to render greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger LZ20 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ20
Portrait photography with Panasonic S2
36
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
33
decent MP (14MP)
features face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Street photography information
Panasonic S2 Street photography information
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (499 grams)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (112g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography features
Panasonic S2 Sports photography features
47
great zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery (380 CIPA)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
good battery pack (280 shots)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S2 Travel photography factors
58
good battery (380 shots)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (525mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (499g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
70
good battery pack (280 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (112 grams)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LZ20
Landscape photography with Panasonic S2
45
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good battery (380 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
41
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
good battery pack (280 per charge)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic LZ20
Vlogging with Panasonic S2
25
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
more heavy than competition (499g)
32
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (112 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ20 and Panasonic S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-07-18 2012-01-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing range 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 499 grams (1.10 pounds) 112 grams (0.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 images 280 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $250 $109