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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic SZ8 versus Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are sold by Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very close and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ8 was manufactured 21 months later than the ZS20 making them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SZ8 grades versus the ZS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic ZS20

 SZ8 ZS20 
RevealedJanuary 2014April 2012Fresher by 21 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic SZ8

 ZS20 SZ8 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS20

 SZ8 ZS20 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 has exterior measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst 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).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 versus Panasonic ZS20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ8 compared to the ZS20.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and ZS20 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching technical specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and ZS20.

As you have seen, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ8 to render greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos more aggressively. The newer SZ8 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
35
decent MP (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
30
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (159g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
67
lighter than competitors (159g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
features focus by touch
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
42
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery (200 shots)
no Timelapse mode
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging highlights
32
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (159g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-01-06 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
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 surface 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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 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 Built-In 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 159g (0.35 pounds) 206g (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 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 200 photographs 260 photographs
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 1 1
Pricing at launch $275 $349