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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S2 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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-S2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the ZS20 (1/2.3") and K-S2 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The ZS20 was introduced 3 years prior to the K-S2 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the ZS20 grades against the K-S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax K-S2

 ZS20 K-S2 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic ZS20

 K-S2 ZS20 
IntroducedFebruary 2015April 2012Newer by 34 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-S2

 ZS20 K-S2 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS20 provides outer measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has proportions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-S2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS20 against the K-S2.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and K-S2 is 92 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by checking specifications. The picture underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS20 and K-S2.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS20 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-S2 will give extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged ZS20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography advice
30
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
78
has manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography details
Pentax K-S2 Street photography details
65
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (206g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
72
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition in class (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
low battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography details
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography details
68
lighter than competition in class (206g)
includes focus via touch
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery (260 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
environment sealing
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography details
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery (260 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
low battery pack (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging advice
34
relatively wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing mic support
71
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (678 grams)
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax K-S2
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax K-S2
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-04-26 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact Compact 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
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type 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
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 gr (0.45 lbs) 678 gr (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 shots 410 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $349 $581