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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched 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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Panasonic SZ1 versus Panasonic ZS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very close and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was unveiled 3 months before the ZS20 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the SZ1 grades against the ZS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 SZ1 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic SZ1

 ZS20 SZ1 
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS20

 SZ1 ZS20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012April 2012Same age
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ1 has outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ1 versus Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ1 and the ZS20.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and ZS20 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing technical specs. The image below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ1 and ZS20.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ1 to result in greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images much more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography highlights
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
30
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
lighter than others (206 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery power (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography features
70
lighter than competition (131 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than others (206 grams)
boasts touch focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography features
43
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
low battery power (260 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
32
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competition (131g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
34
quite wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (206g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
missing external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 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 dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131 gr (0.29 lbs) 206 gr (0.45 lbs)
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 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 250 photos 260 photos
Form of battery 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
Retail cost $179 $349