Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40


96 Imaging
38 Features
41 Overall
39
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
- Updated by Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
- 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
- Announced July 2011

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 Overview
Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic ZS20 versus Sony WX30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the WX30 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The ZS20 was revealed 10 months after the WX30 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the ZS20 scores vs the WX30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS20 Gallery and Sony WX30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony WX30
ZS20 | WX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2012 | ![]() | July 2011 | Newer by 10 months |
Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Panasonic ZS20
WX30 | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony WX30
ZS20 | WX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS20 comes with external 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 WX30 has specifications of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic ZS20 versus Sony WX30 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the ZS20 against the WX30.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and WX30 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions simply by checking specifications. The pic underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and WX30.
To sum up, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony WX30 to resolve greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger ZS20 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-TZ30 | - |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2012-04-26 | 2011-07-25 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | 25-125mm (5.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/2.6-6.3 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | - | XtraFine TFT LCD display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.40 m | 3.70 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 206g (0.45 lb) | 117g (0.26 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 pictures | 250 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $349 | $259 |