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Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic ZS20 and Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are offered by Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was manufactured 8 months earlier than the ZS30 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the ZS20 matches up vs the ZS30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic ZS30

 ZS20 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic ZS20

 ZS30 ZS20 
ReleasedJanuary 2013April 2012Fresher by 8 months
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Panasonic ZS30

 ZS20 ZS30 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS20 features outside dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS30 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS20 and Panasonic ZS30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the ZS20 vs the ZS30.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and ZS30 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through technical specs. The visual below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS20 and ZS30.

As you can tell, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic ZS30 to provide you with greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older ZS20 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography information
30
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
33
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography advice
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
lighter than average in class (206g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
features focus via touch
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (260 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
68
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
boasts touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
features focus via touch
good megapixels (18MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Time Lapse function
low battery life (260 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography features
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
44
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery life (260 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging features
34
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
35
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (198g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no mic support
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ30 Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-04-26 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206 gr (0.45 pounds) 198 gr (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 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
Battery style 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
Pricing at release $349 $250