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Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Superseded the Panasonic LZ20
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LZ40
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both of them are created by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the LZ30 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The LZ30 was introduced 9 months later than the ZS20 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a short overview of how the LZ30 scores against the ZS20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Panasonic ZS20

 LZ30 ZS20 
ReleasedJanuary 2013April 2012More recent by 9 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic LZ30

 ZS20 LZ30 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic LZ30 and Panasonic ZS20

 LZ30 ZS20 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LZ30 has physical measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the LZ30 versus the ZS20.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the LZ30 and ZS20 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the LZ30 and ZS20.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic LZ30 to give extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more recent LZ30 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography factors
32
good resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
30
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic LZ30
Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than others in class (552g)
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than competition (206 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
47
amazing zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
great battery pack (380 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (260 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography features
56
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (875mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (552g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than competition (206 grams)
has touch to focus
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
no Timelapse mode
low battery (260 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LZ30
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
45
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
great battery pack (380 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery (260 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging advice
22
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
heavier than others in class (552g)
34
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (206 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone support
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ30 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-07 2012-04-26
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
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
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-875mm (35.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.40 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 552g (1.22 lb) 206g (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 260 pictures
Battery style AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 0r 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $230 $349