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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Panasonic ZS20 versus Pentax K-r, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the K-r (12MP) is very close but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

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The ZS20 was introduced 14 months after the K-r making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the ZS20 grades vs the K-r with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax K-r

 ZS20 K-r 
AnnouncedApril 2012March 2011Newer by 14 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic ZS20

 K-r ZS20 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-r

 ZS20 K-r 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 offers external measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS20 versus Pentax K-r in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS20 vs the K-r.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and K-r is 92 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through technical specs. The image below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and K-r.

As you can tell, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS20 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic ZS20 will render extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The younger ZS20 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-r Portrait photography information
30
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
Pentax K-r Street photography factors
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
lighter than average (206g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography details
Pentax K-r Sports photography details
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-r Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than average (206 grams)
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery life (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
47
built-in flash
bad battery pack (470 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
42
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery life (260 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
Vlogging with Pentax K-r
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (206g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone port
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax K-r
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax K-r
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-04-26 2011-03-11
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 gr (0.45 pounds) 598 gr (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life 260 shots 470 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $349 $1,100