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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S950

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S950 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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S950 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony S950, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and S950 (10MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was brought out 3 years after the S950 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a simple overview of how the ZS20 scores versus the S950 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony S950

 ZS20 S950 
IntroducedApril 2012February 2009Newer by 39 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S950 ZS20 
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony S950

 ZS20 S950 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS20 offers 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) and the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony S950 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS20 vs the S950.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and S950 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specifications. The image underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS20 and S950.

Plainly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic ZS20 to offer you greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The newer ZS20 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography factors
Sony S950 Portrait photography factors
30
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
26
manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography highlights
Sony S950 Street photography highlights
65
image stabilization (Optical)
features touch to focus
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
Sony S950 Sports photography highlights
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography advice
Sony S950 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than average in class (206g)
features touch to focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (260 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography factors
Sony S950 Landscape photography factors
42
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
31
manual focus
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging advice
Sony S950 Vlogging advice
34
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Sony S950
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Alternate name Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-04-26 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206 grams (0.45 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $349 $130