Clicky

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX9V 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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Launched July 2011
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX9V Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is pretty close and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The ZS20 was unveiled 10 months later than the HX9V so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the ZS20 scores against the HX9V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony HX9V

 ZS20 HX9V 
LaunchedApril 2012July 2011Fresher by 10 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Panasonic ZS20

 HX9V ZS20 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony HX9V

 ZS20 HX9V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 comes with exterior 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 HX9V has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony HX9V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS20 and the HX9V.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and HX9V is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The visual underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS20 and HX9V.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony HX9V to result in greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern ZS20 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
Sony HX9V Portrait photography info
30
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
39
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography highlights
Sony HX9V Street photography highlights
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (206g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX9V Sports photography highlights
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
offers tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (260 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
44
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition in class (206g)
has focus by touch
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition (245g)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Landscape photography camera
42
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery life (260 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
49
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging information
Sony HX9V Vlogging information
34
really wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone jack
33
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no external mic support
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Sony HX9V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-04-26 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206 gr (0.45 pounds) 245 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $349 $328