Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40


93 Imaging
35 Features
17 Overall
27
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 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
- Announced April 2012
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
- Updated by Panasonic ZS25
(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

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").

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.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic ZS20 Gallery and Sony S2100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony S2100
ZS20 | S2100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2012 | ![]() | January 2010 | More recent by 28 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S2100 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony 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 |