Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony G3
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40


94 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony G3 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
- Revealed April 2012
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
- Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
- 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
- Launched January 2009

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony G3 Overview
Lets take a more detailed look at the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony G3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and G3 (10MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The ZS20 was released 3 years later than the G3 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the ZS20 matches up versus the G3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony G3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS20 Gallery & Sony G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony G3
ZS20 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2012 | ![]() | January 2009 | Fresher by 41 months |
Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Panasonic ZS20
G3 | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony G3
ZS20 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 provides exterior 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) and the Sony G3 has sizing of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony G3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS20 vs the G3.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and G3 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing simply by looking at specs. The graphic here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS20 and G3.
All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS20 to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer ZS20 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony G3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 |
Also called as | Lumix DMC-TZ30 | - |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2012-04-26 | 2009-01-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/3.5-10.0 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3.5 inch |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 1 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.40 m | 4.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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) | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 206 gr (0.45 lbs) | 185 gr (0.41 lbs) |
Dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 pictures | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $349 | $200 |