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Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic ZS20 versus Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both of them are manufactured by Panasonic. The resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was released 23 months after the ZS5 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the ZS20 scores against the ZS5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic ZS5

 ZS20 ZS5 
AnnouncedApril 2012June 2010Newer by 23 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic ZS20

 ZS5 ZS20 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Panasonic ZS5

 ZS20 ZS5 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS20 provides external measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS20 versus Panasonic ZS5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the ZS20 compared to the ZS5.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and ZS5 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The image here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS20 and ZS5.

As you can see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Panasonic ZS20 to deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer ZS20 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Portrait photography camera
30
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
features face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
lighter than competition (206 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (214 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography info
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competition (206 grams)
includes touch focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery power (260 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
63
lighter than competitors in class (214g)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
42
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery power (260 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
33
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging advice
34
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (214g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30 Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-04-26 2010-06-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 gr (0.45 lb) 214 gr (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $349 $300