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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Released April 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-x, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the K-x (12MP) is fairly well matched but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS20 was revealed 2 years after the K-x which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the ZS20 matches up versus the K-x in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax K-x

 ZS20 K-x 
LaunchedApril 2012December 2009More modern by 29 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic ZS20

 K-x ZS20 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-x

 ZS20 K-x 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS20 has external 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) and the Pentax K-x has measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-x in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the ZS20 compared to the K-x.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and K-x is 92 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading through a spec sheet. The pic below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and K-x.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS20 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic ZS20 will give you greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher ZS20 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-x Portrait photography info
30
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
Pentax K-x Street photography advice
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than others (206g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Sports photography camera
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (1,900 shots)
has phase detect AF
low fps (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than others (206g)
comes with touch focus
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (260 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
better than average battery life (1,900 CIPA)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-x Landscape photography factors
42
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
61
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (1,900 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-x as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have external mic support
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax K-x
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-04-26 2009-12-23
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 11
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 -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 16.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 grams (0.45 lb) 580 grams (1.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 811
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 1900 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Retail price $349 $600