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Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LZ30
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic LZ20 versus Pentax K-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the LZ20 (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is pretty close but the LZ20 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The LZ20 was launched 3 years prior to the K-S1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the LZ20 scores vs the K-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Pentax K-S1

 LZ20 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic LZ20

 K-S1 LZ20 
IntroducedAugust 2014July 2012Fresher by 25 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LZ20 and Pentax K-S1

 LZ20 K-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic LZ20 has external dimensions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has sizing of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") and a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic LZ20 versus Pentax K-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the LZ20 and the K-S1.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the LZ20 and K-S1 is 71 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through specs. The photograph underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the LZ20 and K-S1.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The LZ20 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-S1 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The older LZ20 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
36
good MP (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
77
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
45
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competition in class (499g)
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average (558 grams)
great high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography features
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography features
47
incredible zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking focus
great battery life (380 shots)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames per second)
low battery power (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography highlights
58
great battery life (380 shots)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (525mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (499g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than average (558g)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery power (410 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
45
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
great battery life (380 per charge)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no low pass filter
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
low battery power (410 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic LZ20
Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
25
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
heavier than competition in class (499 grams)
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (558 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ20 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 Pentax K-S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-07-18 2014-08-27
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.8 -
Macro focusing distance 2cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 499 gr (1.10 lbs) 558 gr (1.23 lbs)
Dimensions 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 380 shots 410 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $250 $339