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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS25
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic ZS20 versus Pentax RS1500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was manufactured 14 months after the RS1500 making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the ZS20 scores versus the RS1500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax RS1500

 ZS20 RS1500 
ReleasedApril 2012March 2011More modern by 14 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic ZS20

 RS1500 ZS20 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax RS1500

 ZS20 RS1500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you should factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 features outside dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Pentax RS1500 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS20 versus Pentax RS1500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the ZS20 versus the RS1500.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and RS1500 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by seeing specs. The picture here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS20 and RS1500.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP so you can expect comparable quality of pictures however you may want to factor the age of the cameras into account. The more recent ZS20 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Portrait photography camera
30
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
35
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
Street photography with Pentax RS1500
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
environment sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography info
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography info
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
features tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (260 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
MP count decent (14MP)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
Travel photography with Pentax RS1500
68
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
includes touch focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (260 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
environment sealing
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
Landscape photography with Pentax RS1500
42
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery life (260 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
40
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14MP)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging information
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging information
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no microphone jack
25
pretty wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax Optio RS1500
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-04-26 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB 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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 grams (0.45 lbs) 157 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 260 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $349 $150