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Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Replacement is Panasonic LZ30
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2012
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic LZ20 versus Panasonic SZ5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Panasonic. The image resolution of the LZ20 (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The LZ20 was unveiled within a month of the SZ5 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the LZ20 matches up vs the SZ5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Panasonic SZ5

 LZ20 SZ5 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic LZ20

 SZ5 LZ20 

Common features in the Panasonic LZ20 and Panasonic SZ5

 LZ20 SZ5 
RevealedJuly 2012July 2012Similar generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic LZ20 comes with outside measurements of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has sizing of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic LZ20 versus Panasonic SZ5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the LZ20 and the SZ5.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the LZ20 and SZ5 is 71 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The image here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the LZ20 and SZ5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic LZ20 to resolve more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography factors
36
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
34
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography factors
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than average in class (499g)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (136 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
47
long zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Travel photography camera
58
great battery pack (380 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (525mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (499 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
70
lighter than competitors (136 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography details
45
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
great battery pack (380 per charge)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging advice
25
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (499 grams)
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (136g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LZ20 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ20 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-07-18 2012-07-18
Body design 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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure 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 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 499 grams (1.10 pounds) 136 grams (0.30 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 250 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $250 $195