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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS25
Pentax XG-1
(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
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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").

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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.

Photography Glossary

        

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 
ReleasedJuly 2014April 2012More modern by 27 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax XG-1

 ZS20 XG-1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
Portrait photography with Pentax XG-1
30
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
40
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
Pentax XG-1 Street photography advice
65
image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
lighter than competitors (206g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than competitors (567g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography factors
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
45
excellent zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competitors (206g)
offers touch focus
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (260 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
52
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
no Timelapse recording
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors (567g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography highlights
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery life (260 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
45
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery life (240 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (206g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic socket
25
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone support
more heavy than competitors (567 grams)
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax XG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax 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