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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax P70

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax P70 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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Released March 2009
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax P70 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax P70, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the P70 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was brought out 3 years after the P70 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the ZS20 scores against the P70 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax P70

 ZS20 P70 
ReleasedApril 2012March 2009More modern by 39 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Panasonic ZS20

 P70 ZS20 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax P70

 ZS20 P70 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 has exterior measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Pentax P70 has sizing of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax P70 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 change based on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the ZS20 versus the P70.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and P70 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizes only by checking out specs. The image below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and P70.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS20 to show more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer ZS20 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
Pentax P70 Portrait photography information
30
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
Street photography with Pentax P70
65
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than competition (206g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than others (155 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Sports photography camera
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
17
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition (206g)
has touch to focus
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
no Timelapse function
bad battery life (260 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
56
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (155g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography information
Pentax P70 Landscape photography information
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
32
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
Vlogging with Pentax P70
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone port
25
really wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
heavier than others (155 grams)
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax P70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax Optio P70
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 2012-04-26 2009-03-02
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
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 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video 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 gr (0.45 lb) 155 gr (0.34 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $349 $200