Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A6500
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
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81 Imaging
66 Features
85 Overall
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A6500 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
- Launched April 2012
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
- Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 51200)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
- Released October 2016
- Older Model is Sony A6300
Photography Glossary Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A6500 Overview
Here is a extended analysis of the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A6500, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and A6500 (24MP) and the ZS20 (1/2.3") and A6500 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe ZS20 was announced 5 years earlier than the A6500 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the ZS20 matches up versus the A6500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A6500 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 & Sony Alpha a6500. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS20 Gallery & Sony A6500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony A6500
| ZS20 | A6500 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Panasonic ZS20
| A6500 | ZS20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | October 2016 | April 2012 | Fresher by 54 months | |
| Manually focus | Dial accurate focus | |||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
| Screen resolution | 922k | 460k | Crisper screen (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony A6500
| ZS20 | A6500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen measurement | |
| Selfie screen | Lack of selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 features external dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony A6500 has sizing of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A6500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view size comparison of the ZS20 and the A6500.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and A6500 is 92 and 81 respectively.
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading through specifications. The visual here will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS20 and A6500.
Plainly, both of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS20 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A6500 will resolve extra detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older ZS20 is going to be behind in sensor tech.
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A6500 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Alpha a6500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Alpha a6500 |
| Also called as | Lumix DMC-TZ30 | - |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Advanced Mirrorless |
| Launched | 2012-04-26 | 2016-10-06 |
| Physical type | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | - | Bionz X |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
| Max boosted ISO | - | 51200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 23 | 425 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
| Lens focal range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | - |
| Max aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | - |
| Macro focus range | 3cm | - |
| Number of lenses | - | 121 |
| Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 460k dots | 922k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.7x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 30 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Highest quiet shutter speed | - | 1/32000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 10.0fps | 11.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.40 m | 6.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| 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) | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| 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 | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 206 grams (0.45 pounds) | 453 grams (1.00 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 85 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 24.5 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.7 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 1405 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 260 shots | 350 shots |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NP-FW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes |
| Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail price | $349 | $1,298 |