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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Launched June 2008
  • Older Model is Pentax K10D
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax K20D, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and K20D (15MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and K20D (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The ZS3 was announced 11 months later than the K20D so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the ZS3 grades vs the K20D in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax K20D

 ZS3 K20D 
LaunchedMay 2009June 2008Fresher by 11 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic ZS3

 K20D ZS3 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax K20D

 ZS3 K20D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS3 enjoys outer measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K20D has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax K20D in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS3 versus the K20D.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and K20D is 91 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The photograph underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS3 and K20D.

As you can tell, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS3 with its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K20D will give extra detail with its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The younger ZS3 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
Pentax K20D Portrait photography info
19
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography information
Pentax K20D Street photography information
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
Pentax K20D Sports photography factors
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
Travel photography with Pentax K20D
63
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
64
environment sealing
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
Landscape photography with Pentax K20D
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K20D Vlogging highlights
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
9
no video recording
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Pentax K20D
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-05-14 2008-06-25
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format AVCHD Lite -
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 None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229 gr (0.50 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 639
Other
Battery model - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Retail price $200 $700