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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax 645Z 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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
Pentax 645Z
(Full Review)
  • 51MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1550g - 156 x 117 x 123mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Previous Model is Pentax 645D
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax 645Z Overview

The following is a complete review of the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax 645Z, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the ZS20 (1/2.3") and 645Z (Medium format) feature different sensor sizing.

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The ZS20 was announced 23 months prior to the 645Z which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the ZS20 matches up versus the 645Z with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax 645Z

 ZS20 645Z 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Panasonic ZS20

 645Z ZS20 
LaunchedApril 2014April 2012Newer by 23 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax 645Z

 ZS20 645Z 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS20 has physical dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Pentax 645Z has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") with a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax 645Z in our newest 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 select at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS20 compared to the 645Z.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and 645Z is 92 and 49 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specs. The image underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS20 and 645Z.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS20 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh trickier and the Pentax 645Z will result in extra detail with its extra 37 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZS20 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
Pentax 645Z Portrait photography information
30
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
88
you can focus manually
high MP (51 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
Pentax 645Z Street photography factors
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features focus via touch
lighter than competitors (206g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
63
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is large (Medium format)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
good ISO range (204,800)
no image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (1,550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography details
Pentax 645Z Sports photography details
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
71
high MP (51 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low battery pack (650 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography features
Pentax 645Z Travel photography features
68
lighter than competitors (206g)
features focus via touch
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
51
environment proofing
high MP (51 megapixels)
low battery pack (650 CIPA)
more heavy than average in class (1,550g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax 645Z Landscape photography highlights
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
high MP (51 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (204,800)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
low battery pack (650 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax 645Z as a Vlogging camera
34
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (206g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
27
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (1,550 grams)
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax 645Z
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax 645Z
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax 645Z
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Introduced 2012-04-26 2014-04-15
Body design Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Medium format
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 51 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 8256 x 6192
Highest native ISO 6400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 27
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Total lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync+Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, contrast-control-sync, high-speed sync, wireless sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/125 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 grams (0.45 pounds) 1550 grams (3.42 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 101
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.7
DXO Low light score not tested 4505
Other
Battery life 260 images 650 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Storage slots One Two
Retail cost $349 $5,024