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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched 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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Let's look closer at the Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Panasonic. The resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S3 was manufactured 15 months earlier than the ZS20 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the S3 scores vs the ZS20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S3 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic S3

 ZS20 S3 
IntroducedApril 2012January 2011More modern by 15 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS20

 S3 ZS20 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S3 has external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has measurements 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 S3 vs Panasonic ZS20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the S3 and the ZS20.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and ZS20 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by checking out a spec sheet. The image here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and ZS20.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos however you will need to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The more aged S3 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography factors
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
30
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
lighter than average (206g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography information
35
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
offers tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography features
68
lighter than competition in class (117g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than average (206g)
includes touch focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography highlights
38
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery life (260 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging highlights
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (206g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-01-05 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 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 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 250 shots 260 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $110 $349