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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS20
(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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
Sony H55
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 103 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched June 2010
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55 Overview

The following is a comprehensive assessment of the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the H55 (14MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was revealed 23 months after the H55 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the ZS20 grades against the H55 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony H55

 ZS20 H55 
LaunchedApril 2012June 2010Newer by 23 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony H55 over the Panasonic ZS20

 H55 ZS20 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony H55

 ZS20 H55 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS20 comes with outside 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) while the Sony H55 has measurements of 103mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS20 against the H55.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and H55 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading through a spec sheet. The pic here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS20 and H55.

As you can see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of images although you should always consider the production date of the products into consideration. The newer ZS20 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography factors
Sony H55 Portrait photography factors
30
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
28
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
Sony H55 as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
lighter than average (206g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
Sony H55 as a Sports photography camera
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
Sony H55 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than average (206 grams)
includes focus by touch
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery (260 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
Landscape photography with Sony H55
42
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
42
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
Vlogging with Sony H55
34
relatively wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (206g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
28
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Sony H55
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-04-26 2010-06-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
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) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Slow Syncro, Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 grams (0.45 pounds) 200 grams (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 103 x 58 x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $349 $235