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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Launched April 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the S1 (14MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was unveiled 15 months later than the S1 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a short summation of how the ZS20 matches up vs the S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax S1

 ZS20 S1 
RevealedApril 2012March 2011More recent by 15 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S1 ZS20 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax S1

 ZS20 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS20 features outside 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 S1 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS20 and the S1.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and S1 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor measurements just by looking at technical specs. The visual here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and S1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs although you will want to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The younger ZS20 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
Pentax S1 Portrait photography info
30
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
35
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography information
Pentax S1 Street photography information
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography factors
Pentax S1 Sports photography factors
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography details
Pentax S1 Travel photography details
68
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
offers focus by touch
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
64
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography advice
Pentax S1 Landscape photography advice
42
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging highlights
Pentax S1 Vlogging highlights
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have mic support
28
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax Optio S1
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-04-26 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
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 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206 gr (0.45 lb) 157 gr (0.35 lb)
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 All around 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 photos 260 photos
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 recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $349 $174