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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
Sony S2100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-105mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 61 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2010
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the S2100 (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was introduced 2 years later than the S2100 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the ZS20 matches up vs the S2100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony S2100

 ZS20 S2100 
IntroducedApril 2012January 2010More recent by 28 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S2100 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S2100 ZS20 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony S2100

 ZS20 S2100 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS20 enjoys physical dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony S2100 has specifications of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 in the all new 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 use at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS20 against the S2100.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and S2100 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS20 and S2100.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS20 to produce extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger ZS20 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography highlights
Sony S2100 Portrait photography highlights
30
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
Street photography with Sony S2100
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (206g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
46
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography features
Sony S2100 Sports photography features
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
17
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography advice
Sony S2100 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
features focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery power (260 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography info
Sony S2100 Landscape photography info
42
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery power (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
27
good sized screen (3")
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging factors
Sony S2100 Vlogging factors
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (206g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Sony S2100
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-04-26 2010-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
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) 33-105mm (3.2x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 1s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1200s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 gr (0.45 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 98 x 61 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, optional SD, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $349 $0