Clicky

Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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
  • Released April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS25
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Panasonic ZS1 and Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both created by Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and ZS20 (14MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and ZS20 (1/2.3") provide different sensor size.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

The ZS1 was brought out 3 years prior to the ZS20 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the ZS1 scores against the ZS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 ZS1 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic ZS1

 ZS20 ZS1 
ReleasedApril 2012May 2009Newer by 35 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Panasonic ZS20

 ZS1 ZS20 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS1 features outer measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS1 and Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the ZS1 and the ZS20.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ZS1 and ZS20 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by looking at specifications. The pic below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS1 and ZS20.

Plainly, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS1 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Panasonic ZS20 will resolve more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged ZS1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
25
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
30
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS1
Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS1
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography info
63
lighter than competition (229g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
comes with touch to focus
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery power (260 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging advice
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (229g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ6 Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-05-14 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync 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
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 grams (0.50 lb) 206 grams (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 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 - 260 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $0 $349