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Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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
  • Launched April 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Below is a in depth overview of the Panasonic S2 versus Panasonic ZS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Panasonic. The resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S2 was announced 3 months before the ZS20 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the S2 grades versus the ZS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S2 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic S2

 ZS20 S2 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZS20

 S2 ZS20 
LaunchedJanuary 2012April 2012Similar generation
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S2 comes with outer dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S2 versus Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the S2 and the ZS20.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S2 and ZS20 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by looking at specs. The photograph below should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S2 and ZS20.

All in all, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you should expect similar quality of pictures but you have to consider the production date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
30
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography highlights
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features touch to focus
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S2
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
39
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
good battery (280 shots)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S2
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
70
good battery (280 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than average in class (206g)
features touch to focus
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography factors
41
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good battery (280 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
42
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S2
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
34
really wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (206g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-01-09 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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 data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 112g (0.25 lbs) 206g (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 280 images 260 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $109 $349