Clicky

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
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

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").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

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.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes 
	
	

		

		
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	

	
			Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide	

	
	
	
	

	

		
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
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
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
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
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
Photography Glossary
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)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
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
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
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
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	

		

			
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