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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Released April 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Introduced February 2010
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Below is a detailed comparison of the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the W90 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was launched 2 years later than the W90 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the ZS20 grades versus the W90 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax W90

 ZS20 W90 
IntroducedApril 2012February 2010More recent by 27 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Panasonic ZS20

 W90 ZS20 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax W90

 ZS20 W90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS20 features external 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) and the Pentax W90 has measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the ZS20 against the W90.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and W90 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements only by looking at a spec sheet. The visual underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS20 and W90.

As you can see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS20 to give you extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher ZS20 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Portrait photography camera
30
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
has manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography info
Pentax W90 Street photography info
65
image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
54
weather sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography factors
Pentax W90 Sports photography factors
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery (260 per charge)
no phase detect AF
24
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
Travel photography with Pentax W90
68
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
supports touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low battery (260 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
64
weather sealing
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography features
Pentax W90 Landscape photography features
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
low battery (260 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
37
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax W90 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
25
really wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax W90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax Optio W90
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2012-04-26 2010-02-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
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 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
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
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 gr (0.45 pounds) 164 gr (0.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $349 $120