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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20 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
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and VS20 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS3 was launched 3 years before the VS20 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the ZS3 matches up vs the VS20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax VS20

 ZS3 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic ZS3

 VS20 ZS3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012May 2009Fresher by 32 months
Manually focus Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax VS20

 ZS3 VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS3 comes with outer measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the ZS3 and the VS20.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS3 and VS20 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS3 and VS20.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax VS20 to render extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics much more aggressively. The older ZS3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
Portrait photography with Pentax VS20
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
36
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography information
Pentax VS20 Street photography information
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than others (235 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography information
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography information
35
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
47
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax VS20 Vlogging highlights
30
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
30
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Pentax Optio VS20
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-05-14 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229 grams (0.50 pounds) 235 grams (0.52 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 model - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $200 $106