Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS20
Portability
96 Imaging
40 Features
29 Overall
35
96 Imaging
40 Features
29 Overall
35
Portability
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
- Announced January 2013
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
(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
- Revealed April 2012
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
- Refreshed by Panasonic ZS25
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Below, we are analyzing the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both manufactured by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very comparable and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe SZ3 was announced 9 months after the ZS20 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SZ3 grades vs the ZS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic SZ3 Gallery & Panasonic ZS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic ZS20
| SZ3 | ZS20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | January 2013 |  | April 2012 | More modern by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic SZ3
| ZS20 | SZ3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display dimension | 3" |  | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
| Display resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
| Touch friendly display |  | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS20
| SZ3 | ZS20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | No manual focus | ||
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither provides selfie screen |
Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ3 provides exterior dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).
See the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ3 vs the ZS20.
Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and ZS20 is 96 and 92 respectively.
Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison
Often, its hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The pic here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ3 and ZS20.
As you can see, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ3 to produce extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The fresher SZ3 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.
Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography advice
decent megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Panasonic SZ3 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography information
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (260 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography info
lighter than competition (126g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lighter than competition in class (206g)
features focus by touch
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery (260 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography info
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery (260 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (206g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Panasonic | Panasonic |
| Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 |
| Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ30 |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Announced | 2013-01-07 | 2012-04-26 |
| Physical type | 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 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti alias 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 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 23 | 23 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-250mm (10.0x) | 24-480mm (20.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.3-6.4 |
| Macro focusing range | 5cm | 3cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 230k dots | 460k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen technology | TFT LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 15s |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 4.10 m | 6.40 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| 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 |
| 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 | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 126g (0.28 pounds) | 206g (0.45 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 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 | 250 photos | 260 photos |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch pricing | $150 | $349 |