Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40


70 Imaging
36 Features
44 Overall
39
Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W Key Specs
(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
- Revealed April 2012
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS15
- Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 64 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
- Released May 2010
- Alternative Name is WB5500

Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W Overview
Following is a in depth assessment of the Panasonic ZS20 and Samsung HZ50W, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the HZ50W (14MP) is fairly comparable and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The ZS20 was unveiled 2 years after the HZ50W which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before going through a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the ZS20 grades versus the HZ50W in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 and Samsung HZ50W. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS20 Gallery and Samsung HZ50W Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Samsung HZ50W
ZS20 | HZ50W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2012 | ![]() | May 2010 | More modern by 25 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Panasonic ZS20
HZ50W | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Samsung HZ50W
ZS20 | HZ50W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS20 comes with physical dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Samsung HZ50W has measurements of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic ZS20 and Samsung HZ50W in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS20 versus the HZ50W.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and HZ50W is 92 and 70 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by checking out specs. The pic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS20 and HZ50W.
All in all, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution so you should expect comparable quality of photographs although you might want to take the production date of the cameras into account. The newer ZS20 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Samsung HZ50W | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Samsung |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Samsung HZ50W |
Also Known as | Lumix DMC-TZ30 | WB5500 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2012-04-26 | 2010-05-03 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
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) | 26-676mm (26.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 16s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.40 m | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | H.264 |
Microphone 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 pounds) | 426g (0.94 pounds) |
Dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") |
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 pictures | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | - | SLB-11A |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SC/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $349 | $250 |