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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax ist DS2 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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced August 2005
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax ist DS2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the ZS20 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The ZS20 was released 6 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the ZS20 matches up against the ist DS2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax ist DS2

 ZS20 ist DS2 
AnnouncedApril 2012August 2005Newer by 82 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kSharper display (+250k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic ZS20

 ist DS2 ZS20 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax ist DS2

 ZS20 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS20 offers outer measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the ZS20 compared to the ist DS2.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and ist DS2 is 92 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The picture underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and ist DS2.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS20 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Panasonic ZS20 will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more modern ZS20 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Portrait photography camera
30
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
51
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography features
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (605g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
39
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max fps low (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
comes with touch focus
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
52
lighter than average in class (605g)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Landscape photography camera
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery (260 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
47
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging details
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging details
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic socket
22
lighter than average in class (605g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video ( resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax ist DS2
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-04-26 2005-08-22
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 grams (0.45 lb) 605 grams (1.33 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
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 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $349 -