Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A700
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40


58 Imaging
50 Features
58 Overall
53
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A700 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced April 2012
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
- Successor is Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
- Revealed December 2007
- Earlier Model is Konica Minolta 7D
- Newer Model is Sony A77

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A700 Overview
Below is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic ZS20 versus Sony A700, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the A700 (12MP) is very comparable but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and A700 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.

The ZS20 was revealed 4 years later than the A700 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a short highlight of how the ZS20 matches up versus the A700 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A700 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A700. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS20 Gallery & Sony A700 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony A700
ZS20 | A700 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2012 | ![]() | December 2007 | More recent by 53 months |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Panasonic ZS20
A700 | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony A700
ZS20 | A700 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 comes with external 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 A700 has sizing of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") and a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic ZS20 versus Sony A700 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the ZS20 versus the A700.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and A700 is 92 and 58 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements only by seeing specs. The photograph underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS20 and A700.
All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS20 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic ZS20 will show greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher ZS20 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A700 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-TZ30 | - |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2012-04-26 | 2007-12-19 |
Body design | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4272 x 2848 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | - |
Macro focus range | 3cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.6x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.40 m | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/250 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 206 grams (0.45 lb) | 768 grams (1.69 lb) |
Dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.3 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.9 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 581 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 images | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Two |
Cost at release | $349 | $1,000 |