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Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX5

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Ricoh CX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX5 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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS25
Ricoh CX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 205g - 102 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Overview

The following is a extended overview of the Panasonic ZS20 versus Ricoh CX5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Ricoh. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and CX5 (10MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was released 10 months after the CX5 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the ZS20 grades vs the CX5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Ricoh CX5

 ZS20 CX5 
AnnouncedApril 2012July 2011Newer by 10 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX5 over the Panasonic ZS20

 CX5 ZS20 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Ricoh CX5

 ZS20 CX5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 features exterior measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Ricoh CX5 has sizing of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS20 versus Ricoh CX5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the ZS20 versus the CX5.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and CX5 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading through technical specs. The image here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and CX5.

As you can tell, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZS20 to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more modern ZS20 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Ricoh CX5 as a Portrait photography camera
30
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
28
has manual focus
external flash not possible
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
Ricoh CX5 as a Street photography camera
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (205 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
Sports photography with Ricoh CX5
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
Travel photography with Ricoh CX5
68
lighter than competition in class (206g)
features focus via touch
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
66
lighter than average (205g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
long reach (300mm)
low resolution (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography advice
Ricoh CX5 Landscape photography advice
42
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
45
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging factors
Ricoh CX5 Vlogging factors
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
no mic port
30
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (205g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Ricoh CX5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Ricoh CX5
General Information
Company Panasonic Ricoh
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Ricoh CX5
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-04-26 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-300mm (10.7x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206g (0.45 lbs) 205g (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 102 x 59 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 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - DB-100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $349 $399