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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS45
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K10D
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K20D Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K20D, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the K20D (15MP) is very well matched but the ZS40 (1/2.3") and K20D (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The ZS40 was brought out 5 years later than the K20D and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the ZS40 scores versus the K20D for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax K20D

 ZS40 K20D 
RevealedJanuary 2014June 2008More recent by 68 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic ZS40

 K20D ZS40 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K20D

 ZS40 K20D 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS40 offers exterior dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) while the Pentax K20D has sizing of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K20D in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the ZS40 vs the K20D.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and K20D is 90 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements simply by checking specs. The visual below may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS40 and K20D.

All in all, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS40 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Panasonic ZS40 will give greater detail having its extra 3MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The more modern ZS40 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K20D Portrait photography factors
52
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
71
manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography factors
Pentax K20D Street photography factors
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average in class (240 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Sports photography camera
54
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
Travel photography with Pentax K20D
69
lighter than average in class (240 grams)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
64
weather proofing
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography details
Pentax K20D Landscape photography details
56
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse recording
70
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
screen is small (2.7 inch)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging advice
Pentax K20D Vlogging advice
34
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (240 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax K20D
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2014-01-06 2008-06-25
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 240g (0.53 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 300 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $450 $700