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Panasonic TS20 vs Sony A850

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Panasonic TS20 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Panasonic TS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 142g - 101 x 58 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FT20
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched April 2010
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Panasonic TS20 vs Sony A850 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Panasonic TS20 and Sony A850, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the TS20 (16MP) and A850 (25MP) and the TS20 (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The TS20 was revealed 22 months after the A850 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic TS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the TS20 grades against the A850 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic TS20 over the Sony A850

 TS20 A850 
LaunchedJanuary 2012April 2010Newer by 22 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Panasonic TS20

 A850 TS20 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS20 and Sony A850

 TS20 A850 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Panasonic TS20 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic TS20 has got outside dimensions of 101mm x 58mm x 19mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic TS20 and Sony A850 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the TS20 versus the A850.

Panasonic TS20 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the TS20 and A850 is 95 and 54 respectively.

Panasonic TS20 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS20 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TS20 and A850.

As you can see, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The TS20 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A850 will provide more detail because of its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The fresher TS20 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic TS20 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS20 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS20 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A850 as a Portrait photography camera
30
resolution is good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
72
focusing manually
high megapixels (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS20 Street photography information
Sony A850 Street photography information
67
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
lighter than competition (142 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS20 Sports photography advice
Sony A850 Sports photography advice
41
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high megapixels (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS20 Travel photography info
Sony A850 Travel photography info
70
lighter than competition (142 grams)
environment proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
55
environment proof
high megapixels (25 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic TS20
Landscape photography with Sony A850
41
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
no liveview feature
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS20 Vlogging highlights
Sony A850 Vlogging highlights
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (142 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone jack
9
no video recording
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Panasonic TS20 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS20 and Sony A850
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FT20 -
Class Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-01-31 2010-04-15
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.9-5.7 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format MPEG-4 -
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142g (0.31 lb) 895g (1.97 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 19mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1415
Other
Battery life 250 pictures 880 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Single Dual
Launch cost $179 $0