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Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost 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
  • Updated by Panasonic LZ30
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • Renewed by Sony HX30V
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Panasonic LZ20 and Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the LZ20 (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is fairly close and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The LZ20 was brought out at a similar time to the HX20V and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the LZ20 scores versus the HX20V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Sony HX20V

 LZ20 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Panasonic LZ20

 HX20V LZ20 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display resolution922k460kClearer display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LZ20 and Sony HX20V

 LZ20 HX20V 
LaunchedJuly 2012July 2012Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Panasonic LZ20 features physical dimensions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") along with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic LZ20 and Sony HX20V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the LZ20 compared to the HX20V.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the LZ20 and HX20V is 71 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements merely by viewing specs. The graphic underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the LZ20 and HX20V.

All in all, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Sony HX20V to result in greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Portrait photography camera
36
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
no manual focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
45
you can focus manually
MP count good (18MP)
supports face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Street photography details
Sony HX20V Street photography details
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (499g)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography advice
Sony HX20V Sports photography advice
47
incredible zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
good battery life (380 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
supports tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography info
Sony HX20V Travel photography info
58
good battery life (380 per charge)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (525mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (499 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
MP count good (18MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography info
Sony HX20V Landscape photography info
45
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
good battery life (380 shots)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
50
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging info
Sony HX20V Vlogging info
25
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (499g)
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing external microphone jack
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ20 and Sony HX20V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-07-18 2012-07-20
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Screen LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 499 grams (1.10 pounds) 254 grams (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 images 320 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $250 $397