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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1 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
  • Launched April 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
Sony WX1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Launched August 2009
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the ZS20 (14MP) and WX1 (10MP) and the ZS20 (1/2.3") and WX1 (1/2.4") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS20 was unveiled 2 years after the WX1 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony WX1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the ZS20 scores vs the WX1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony WX1

 ZS20 WX1 
LaunchedApril 2012August 2009Newer by 34 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony WX1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 WX1 ZS20 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony WX1

 ZS20 WX1 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS20 features physical measurements 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 WX1 has specifications of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") along with a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1 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 based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS20 compared to the WX1.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and WX1 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over specifications. The pic underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and WX1.

Plainly, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS20 with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZS20 will offer more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more modern ZS20 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
Sony WX1 Portrait photography information
30
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography highlights
Sony WX1 Street photography highlights
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
lighter than others (206g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (149g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography features
Sony WX1 Sports photography features
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (260 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography factors
Sony WX1 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than others (206 grams)
supports focus via touch
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
no Timelapse recording
low battery (260 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
56
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (149g)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX1 as a Landscape photography camera
42
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery (260 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
31
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging info
Sony WX1 Vlogging info
34
really wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (206 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external microphone port
28
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (149 grams)
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Sony WX1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2012-04-26 2009-08-06
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 grams (0.45 pounds) 149 grams (0.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8")
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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $349 $149