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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the ZS20 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The ZS20 was launched 3 years before the K-S1 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summary of how the ZS20 grades versus the K-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax K-S1

 ZS20 K-S1 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 K-S1 ZS20 
IntroducedAugust 2014April 2012Fresher by 28 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-S1

 ZS20 K-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS20 features external dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS20 versus the K-S1.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and K-S1 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading through specifications. The visual below will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS20 and K-S1.

To sum up, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS20 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-S1 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images more aggressively. The older ZS20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography factors
30
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
77
has manual focus
good MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (558g)
great high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography advice
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.4 frames per second)
bad battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
comes with focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery life (260 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than others (558 grams)
good MP (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery (410 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery life (260 shots)
missing Timelapse function
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
bad battery (410 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging features
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging features
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone support
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (558g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone support
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax K-S1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax K-S1
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-04-26 2014-08-27
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime MII
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 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 206 grams (0.45 lbs) 558 grams (1.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 260 photos 410 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $349 $339