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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-50 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
  • Released April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS25
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-50, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is relatively close but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The ZS20 was launched 19 months earlier than the K-50 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the ZS20 scores vs the K-50 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax K-50

 ZS20 K-50 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic ZS20

 K-50 ZS20 
ReleasedNovember 2013April 2012Fresher by 19 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-50

 ZS20 K-50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS20 offers external measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-50 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS20 compared to the K-50.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and K-50 is 92 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and K-50.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS20 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-50 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The older ZS20 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
30
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
Pentax K-50 Street photography advice
65
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than competition (206g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
great high ISO (51,600)
fixed screen
more heavy than others (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
not so great battery life (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
Travel photography with Pentax K-50
68
lighter than competition (206g)
comes with touch focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery life (260 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
56
weather proof
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
more heavy than others (650g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography highlights
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
Vlogging with Pentax K-50
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (206g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
more heavy than others (650g)
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax K-50
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-04-26 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 51600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
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 Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206g (0.45 pounds) 650g (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1120
Other
Battery life 260 shots 410 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $349 $610