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Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Replacement is Panasonic LZ30
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Panasonic LZ20 and Panasonic SZ3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are created by Panasonic. The resolution of the LZ20 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The LZ20 was introduced 5 months earlier than the SZ3 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the LZ20 matches up vs the SZ3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Panasonic SZ3

 LZ20 SZ3 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic LZ20

 SZ3 LZ20 

Common features in the Panasonic LZ20 and Panasonic SZ3

 LZ20 SZ3 
LaunchedJuly 2012January 2013Similar age
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic LZ20 enjoys outer dimensions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ3 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Panasonic LZ20 and Panasonic SZ3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the LZ20 vs the SZ3.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the LZ20 and SZ3 is 71 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at technical specs. The image here may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the LZ20 and SZ3.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution and you can expect similar quality of pictures but you really should factor the age of the products into consideration.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography information
36
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
30
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography advice
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than others (499g)
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
47
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery power (380 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography factors
58
great battery power (380 CIPA)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (525mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (499g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography highlights
45
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
great battery power (380 CIPA)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
39
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
25
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than others (499 grams)
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic jack
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ20 and Panasonic SZ3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-07-18 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-525mm (21.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 499g (1.10 pounds) 126g (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 380 photos 250 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
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
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $250 $150