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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
41
Overall
39

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS20
(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
Sony WX30
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony WX30

 ZS20 WX30 
AnnouncedApril 2012July 2011Newer by 10 months

Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Panasonic ZS20

 WX30 ZS20 
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony WX30

 ZS20 WX30 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 size comparison

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

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
Portrait photography with Sony WX30
30
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
29
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX30 as a Street photography camera
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
Sony WX30 Sports photography highlights
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
39
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography info
Sony WX30 Travel photography info
68
lighter than competition in class (206g)
supports focus via touch
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery (260 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than others in class (117g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
no Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX30 as a Landscape photography camera
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging advice
Sony WX30 Vlogging advice
34
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (206g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Sony WX30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Sony 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