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Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both offered by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S1 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S1 was released 15 months prior to the ZS20 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise overview of how the S1 scores against the ZS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S1 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic S1

 ZS20 S1 
ReleasedApril 2012January 2011Newer by 15 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Panasonic ZS20

 S1 ZS20 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera often, you need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 features physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications 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 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the S1 against the ZS20.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and ZS20 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by viewing technical specs. The picture below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and ZS20.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS20 to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged S1 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
30
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S1
Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than others in class (206g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography info
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography highlights
62
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than others in class (206 grams)
provides focus by touch
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (260 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S1
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
32
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
42
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging information
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
34
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (206g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
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Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-01-05 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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 format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117 grams (0.26 lb) 206 grams (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 240 images 260 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $269 $349