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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax Q7 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7 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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS25
Pentax Q7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released August 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the Q7 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and Q7 (1/1.7") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The ZS20 was unveiled 15 months prior to the Q7 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the ZS20 matches up against the Q7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax Q7

 ZS20 Q7 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q7 over the Panasonic ZS20

 Q7 ZS20 
ReleasedAugust 2013April 2012Newer by 15 months
Focus manually Very precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax Q7

 ZS20 Q7 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS20 has 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) whilst the Pentax Q7 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS20 vs the Q7.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and Q7 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions only by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS20 and Q7.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS20 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic ZS20 will show greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged ZS20 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q7 as a Portrait photography camera
30
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
48
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
Pentax Q7 Street photography advice
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than competition (206g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (200 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography advice
Pentax Q7 Sports photography advice
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
provides tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (260 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
32
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
not so great battery life (250 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q7 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition (206g)
comes with touch focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery (260 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than average in class (200g)
built-in flash
not so great battery life (250 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax Q7 Landscape photography highlights
42
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery (260 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
55
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
not so great battery life (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging features
Pentax Q7 Vlogging features
34
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (206g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (200 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax Q7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax Q7
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax Q7
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-04-26 2013-08-08
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount 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
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT color LCD monitor, wide angle viewing, AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 4.90 m (ISO100/m)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro P-TTL, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/2000s
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) FullHD(1920x1080, 30fps/25fps/24fps), HD(1280x720,16:9,30fps/25fps/24fps), VGA(640x480,4:3,30fps/25fps/24fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 206g (0.45 pounds) 200g (0.44 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images 250 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (12 sec, 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD, SDHC, SDXC and Eye-Fi Card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $349 $480