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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01 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
  • Released April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS25
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Revealed May 2012
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The ZS20 was revealed around the same time to the K-01 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple overview of how the ZS20 grades against the K-01 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax K-01

 ZS20 K-01 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic ZS20

 K-01 ZS20 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-01

 ZS20 K-01 
RevealedApril 2012May 2012Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS20 enjoys 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) whilst the Pentax K-01 has proportions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the ZS20 vs the K-01.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and K-01 is 92 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to see the difference between sensor sizing only by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS20 and K-01.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS20 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-01 will give you more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography details
30
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography info
Pentax K-01 Street photography info
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
heavier than competitors in class (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-01 Sports photography factors
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery pack (540 CIPA)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-01 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
boasts focus via touch
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery power (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
great battery pack (540 CIPA)
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than competitors in class (561 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography highlights
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery power (260 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
Vlogging with Pentax K-01
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (561g)
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax K-01
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax K-01
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-04-26 2012-05-30
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing 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 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 81
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206g (0.45 pounds) 561g (1.24 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 260 images 540 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $349 $899