Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40


66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
38
Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs
(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
- Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
- New Model is Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
- 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
- Released July 2014

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview
Here, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS20 versus Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The ZS20 was unveiled 3 years prior to the XG-1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the ZS20 grades versus the XG-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 and Pentax XG-1. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS20 Gallery and Pentax XG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax XG-1
ZS20 | XG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Panasonic ZS20
XG-1 | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2014 | ![]() | April 2012 | More modern by 27 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax XG-1
ZS20 | XG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS20 offers exterior measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Pentax XG-1 has measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic ZS20 versus Pentax XG-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the ZS20 compared to the XG-1.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and XG-1 is 92 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through technical specs. The image here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS20 and XG-1.
As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax XG-1 to provide you with more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged ZS20 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Pentax XG-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Pentax XG-1 |
Alternative name | Lumix DMC-TZ30 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2012-04-26 | 2014-07-15 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-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 | 14 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing 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 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | 24-1248mm (52.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/2.8-5.6 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 200 thousand dots |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames per second | 9.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 6.40 m | 6.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 lbs) | 567 gr (1.25 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") |
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 photos | 240 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | LB-060 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $349 | $599 |