Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony NEX-C3
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
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91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
- Refreshed by Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Revealed August 2011
- Previous Model is Sony NEX-3
- Successor is Sony NEX-F3

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
The following is a extensive comparison of the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony NEX-C3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is very comparable but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

The ZS20 was revealed 9 months after the NEX-C3 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the ZS20 scores against the NEX-C3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 and Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS20 Gallery and Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony NEX-C3
ZS20 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2012 | ![]() | August 2011 | Newer by 9 months |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic ZS20
NEX-C3 | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony NEX-C3
ZS20 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS20 enjoys physical measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
Check the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony NEX-C3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS20 and the NEX-C3.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and NEX-C3 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by seeing a spec sheet. The image here will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and NEX-C3.
As you can see, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS20 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony NEX-C3 will produce greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more recent ZS20 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-TZ30 | - |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2012-04-26 | 2011-08-22 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | - |
Macro focus range | 3cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 6.40 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 | 206g (0.45 lbs) | 225g (0.50 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 73 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1083 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 photos | 400 photos |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $349 | $343 |