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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-3 II 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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-3 II, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the ZS20 (1/2.3") and K-3 II (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The ZS20 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the K-3 II which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the ZS20 scores versus the K-3 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax K-3 II

 ZS20 K-3 II 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Panasonic ZS20

 K-3 II ZS20 
ReleasedApril 2015April 2012More modern by 36 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-3 II

 ZS20 K-3 II 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS20 comes with physical measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 II has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-3 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view size comparison of the ZS20 vs the K-3 II.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and K-3 II is 92 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing technical specs. The pic below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS20 and K-3 II.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS20 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-3 II will provide you with greater detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged ZS20 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography factors
30
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
79
focusing manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
Street photography with Pentax K-3 II
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
bad battery pack (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
includes focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
56
environment proof
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
bad battery pack (720 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography info
42
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery power (260 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
bad battery pack (720 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
Vlogging with Pentax K-3 II
34
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone port
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-3 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax K-3 II
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-04-26 2015-04-23
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 27
Cross focus points - 25
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 -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 8.3 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, 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 (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 grams (0.45 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 1106
Other
Battery life 260 images 720 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 Two
Pricing at release $349 $829