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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
72
Features
93
Overall
80

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
Sony A9
(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
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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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony A9

 ZS20 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Panasonic ZS20

 A9 ZS20 
ReleasedApril 2017April 2012More recent by 60 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kClearer display (+980k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony A9

 ZS20 A9 
Display dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and A9 is 92 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
30
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
83
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
Sony A9 Street photography factors
65
image stabilization (Optical)
features touch focus
lighter than others (206 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
features focus via touch
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography features
Sony A9 Sports photography features
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery life (650 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography info
Sony A9 Travel photography info
68
lighter than others (206 grams)
features touch focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery (260 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
73
great battery life (650 per charge)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
features focus via touch
good MP (24 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography features
Sony A9 Landscape photography features
42
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
85
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
great battery life (650 CIPA)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging factors
Sony A9 Vlogging factors
34
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (206g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no external microphone support
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Sony A9
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Sony 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