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Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Samsung HZ50W front
Portability
70
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39

Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W 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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
Samsung HZ50W
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Samsung HZ50W

 ZS20 HZ50W 
ReleasedApril 2012May 2010More modern by 25 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W size comparison

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

Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
Samsung HZ50W Portrait photography information
30
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
45
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
Street photography with Samsung HZ50W
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Sports photography camera
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
48
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography details
Samsung HZ50W Travel photography details
68
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
boasts focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery (260 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
58
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
Landscape photography with Samsung HZ50W
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery (260 shots)
no Timelapse recording
51
has manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging advice
Samsung HZ50W Vlogging advice
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no external microphone jack
24
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Samsung HZ50W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Samsung HZ50W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Samsung 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