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Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX2

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Ricoh CX2 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
35
Overall
33

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX2 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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
Ricoh CX2
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 185g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Released August 2009
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Panasonic ZS20 and Ricoh CX2, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Ricoh. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and CX2 (9MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was introduced 2 years later than the CX2 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the ZS20 matches up versus the CX2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Ricoh CX2

 ZS20 CX2 
ReleasedApril 2012August 2009Fresher by 33 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX2 over the Panasonic ZS20

 CX2 ZS20 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Ricoh CX2

 ZS20 CX2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 offers outer dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Ricoh CX2 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS20 and Ricoh CX2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the ZS20 vs the CX2.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and CX2 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking specs. The visual here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS20 and CX2.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS20 to give you extra detail using its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images far more aggressively. The younger ZS20 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
Ricoh CX2 Portrait photography info
30
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
25
focusing manually
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (9 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography information
Ricoh CX2 Street photography information
65
image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (185 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
Ricoh CX2 as a Sports photography camera
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
26
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (9 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography features
Ricoh CX2 Travel photography features
68
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
includes touch focus
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery power (260 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
66
lighter than competition in class (185 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (300mm)
low megapixels (9MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
Ricoh CX2 as a Landscape photography camera
42
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
42
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
low megapixels (9 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging features
Ricoh CX2 Vlogging features
34
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (206g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (185 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic port
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Ricoh CX2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Ricoh CX2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Ricoh
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Ricoh CX2
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-04-26 2009-08-20
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Smooth Imaging Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 9MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-300mm (10.7x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.00 m (ISO 400)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206g (0.45 lb) 185g (0.41 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - DB-70
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $349 $341