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Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Announced January 2013
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched April 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS25
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Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Panasonic. The resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The XS1 was released 9 months after the ZS20 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the XS1 grades versus the ZS20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 XS1 ZS20 
LaunchedJanuary 2013April 2012More modern by 9 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic XS1

 ZS20 XS1 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Panasonic ZS20

 XS1 ZS20 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic XS1 has physical dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") accompanied by a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the XS1 compared to the ZS20.

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the XS1 and ZS20 is 97 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes only by checking out specs. The picture here will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the XS1 and ZS20.

All in all, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic XS1 to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern XS1 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography features
30
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
30
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (103 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than others (206 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than others (103g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than others (206g)
supports focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography details
39
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery life (260 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging info
31
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (103g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
34
rather wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (206 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class 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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 103 grams (0.23 pounds) 206 grams (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 260 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 type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $130 $349