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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Launched April 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Revealed June 2011
  • New Model is Pentax Q10
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS20 versus Pentax Q, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the Q (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was released 11 months later than the Q so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ZS20 scores versus the Q for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax Q

 ZS20 Q 
RevealedApril 2012June 2011More recent by 11 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic ZS20

 Q ZS20 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax Q

 ZS20 Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS20 offers physical dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS20 versus Pentax Q in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the ZS20 compared to the Q.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and Q is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by going through a spec sheet. The graphic below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS20 and Q.

As you can see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS20 to provide extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The younger ZS20 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q Portrait photography highlights
30
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
45
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography info
Pentax Q Street photography info
65
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
lighter than average (206g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
Sports photography with Pentax Q
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
provides tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
32
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography information
Pentax Q Travel photography information
68
lighter than average (206 grams)
comes with focus via touch
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
lighter than competition (180g)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery life (260 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
51
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging factors
Pentax Q Vlogging factors
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (206 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (180g)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax Q
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-04-26 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 gr (0.45 pounds) 180 gr (0.40 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life 260 images 230 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $349 $695