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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Panasonic ZS20
(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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS25
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX20V
  • Renewed by Sony HX50V
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX30V Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and HX30V (18MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was launched 2 months after the HX30V which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the ZS20 matches up versus the HX30V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony HX30V

 ZS20 HX30V 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Panasonic ZS20

 HX30V ZS20 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display resolution922k460kSharper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony HX30V

 ZS20 HX30V 
ReleasedApril 2012February 2012Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS20 features physical dimensions 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 HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony HX30V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS20 and the HX30V.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and HX30V is 92 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out specs. The image underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS20 and HX30V.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Sony HX30V to show greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
Portrait photography with Sony HX30V
30
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
45
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (18MP)
includes face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography info
Sony HX30V Street photography info
65
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competition (206 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (254 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography info
Sony HX30V Sports photography info
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography factors
Sony HX30V Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition (206g)
boasts touch to focus
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than others (254g)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography features
Sony HX30V Landscape photography features
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery pack (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
50
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX30V as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (206g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no external microphone support
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Sony HX30V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-04-26 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest 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
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206g (0.45 pounds) 254g (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 320 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $349 $420