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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A350
  • Successor is Sony A390
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the A380 (14MP) is relatively close but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

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The ZS20 was revealed 2 years later than the A380 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summation of how the ZS20 scores versus the A380 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony A380

 ZS20 A380 
IntroducedApril 2012August 2009Fresher by 33 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Panasonic ZS20

 A380 ZS20 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony A380

 ZS20 A380 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS20 features outside measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony A380 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS20 and the A380.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and A380 is 92 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The visual here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS20 and A380.

As you have seen, each of the cameras come with the identical megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The ZS20 provides the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallow DOF tougher. The younger ZS20 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A380 Portrait photography highlights
30
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
71
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
Street photography with Sony A380
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
lighter than others (206 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
76
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
Sony A380 Sports photography highlights
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography details
Sony A380 Travel photography details
68
lighter than others (206 grams)
boasts touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
53
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (500 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
Landscape photography with Sony A380
42
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery power (260 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery life (500 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
Vlogging with Sony A380
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (206g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic socket
9
no video recording
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Sony A380
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-04-26 2009-08-24
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 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 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
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 None
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206 gr (0.45 lb) 519 gr (1.14 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 614
Other
Battery life 260 images 500 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $349 $899