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Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5

Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5 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
  • Announced July 2012
  • Renewed by Panasonic LZ30
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Launched August 2012
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the LZ20 (16MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is relatively close and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The LZ20 was released very close to the X-5 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the LZ20 grades versus the X-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Pentax X-5

 LZ20 X-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Panasonic LZ20

 X-5 LZ20 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic LZ20 and Pentax X-5

 LZ20 X-5 
LaunchedJuly 2012August 2012Same generation
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you should factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic LZ20 features external dimensions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Pentax X-5 has sizing of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the LZ20 versus the X-5.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LZ20 and X-5 is 71 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes merely by looking through technical specs. The picture below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the LZ20 and X-5.

As you can tell, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution so you should expect comparable quality of images though you need to consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ20
Portrait photography with Pentax X-5
36
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
43
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic LZ20
Street photography with Pentax X-5
45
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competition (499g)
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than average (595 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography factors
Pentax X-5 Sports photography factors
47
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
52
incredible zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography info
Pentax X-5 Travel photography info
58
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (525mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (499 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
53
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (22mm)
great reach (580mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (595g)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax X-5 as a Landscape photography camera
45
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
good battery pack (380 per charge)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
47
you can focus manually
pretty wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging highlights
Pentax X-5 Vlogging highlights
25
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (499g)
26
pretty wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than average (595g)
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ20 and Pentax X-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20Pentax X-5
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 Pentax X-5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-07-18 2012-08-22
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230k dots
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 9.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 gr (1.10 lbs) 595 gr (1.31 lbs)
Dimensions 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 330 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $250 $230