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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS25
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Introduced June 2008
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K10D
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Let's look more closely at the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K20D, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the K20D (15MP) is fairly comparable but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and K20D (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The ZS20 was unveiled 3 years later than the K20D and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the ZS20 matches up against the K20D with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax K20D

 ZS20 K20D 
IntroducedApril 2012June 2008More recent by 47 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic ZS20

 K20D ZS20 
Manually focus More exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K20D

 ZS20 K20D 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS20 has got 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) and the Pentax K20D has dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K20D in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS20 compared to the K20D.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and K20D is 92 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through technical specs. The visual underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and K20D.

As you can tell, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS20 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K20D will produce extra detail having an extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer ZS20 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography details
Pentax K20D Portrait photography details
30
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
71
manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Street photography camera
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (206g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography factors
Pentax K20D Sports photography factors
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (260 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
Travel photography with Pentax K20D
68
lighter than competition in class (206g)
boasts touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (260 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
64
environment sealing
resolution is good (15MP)
built-in flash
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography info
Pentax K20D Landscape photography info
42
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery life (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
70
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is small (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
Vlogging with Pentax K20D
34
really wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone support
9
can't record video
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax K20D
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-04-26 2008-06-25
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206 gr (0.45 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 260 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Price at launch $349 $700