Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
65 Imaging
72 Features
93 Overall
80
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 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
- Announced April 2012
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS15
- Successor is Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
- Released April 2017
- Renewed by Sony A9 II
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 Overview
Below is a in depth overview of the Panasonic ZS20 versus Sony A9, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and A9 (24MP) and the ZS20 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) use totally different sensor sizes.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe ZS20 was unveiled 6 years prior to the A9 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the ZS20 scores vs the A9 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 & Sony Alpha A9. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS20 Gallery & Sony A9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony A9
| ZS20 | A9 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Panasonic ZS20
| A9 | ZS20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | April 2017 | April 2012 | More recent by 60 months | |
| Manual focus | Dial exact focus | |||
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display resolution | 1440k | 460k | Clearer display (+980k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony A9
| ZS20 | A9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display dimension | 3" | 3" | Identical display dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 has outside dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony A9 has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") having a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).
Check the Panasonic ZS20 versus Sony A9 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS20 vs the A9.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and A9 is 92 and 65 respectively.
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by going through a spec sheet. The visual underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS20 and A9.
Clearly, each of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS20 using its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Sony A9 will show more detail having an extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The older ZS20 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Alpha A9 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Alpha A9 |
| Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-TZ30 | - |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Pro Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2012-04-26 | 2017-04-19 |
| Physical type | Compact | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | - | BIONZ X |
| Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Full frame |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 35.6 x 23.8mm |
| Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 847.3mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 51200 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | - | 204800 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Min enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| 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 | ||
| Total focus points | 23 | 693 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony E |
| Lens zoom range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | - |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | - |
| Macro focusing range | 3cm | - |
| Total lenses | - | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 460k dots | 1,440k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,686k dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.78x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
| Fastest quiet shutter speed | - | 1/32000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 10.0fps | 20.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 6.40 m | no built-in flash |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| 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 | 3840x2160 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Built-In |
| 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 | 206 gr (0.45 lbs) | 673 gr (1.48 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | 92 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 24.9 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.3 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 3517 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 260 photographs | 650 photographs |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | NP-FZ100 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) |
| Card slots | 1 | 2 |
| Retail cost | $349 | $4,498 |