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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS45
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX30V
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS40 was launched 18 months later than the HX20V making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the ZS40 matches up versus the HX20V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Sony HX20V

 ZS40 HX20V 
IntroducedJanuary 2014July 2012Fresher by 18 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Panasonic ZS40

 HX20V ZS40 
Display resolution922k920kSharper display (+2k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony HX20V

 ZS40 HX20V 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS40 offers external measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Sony HX20V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony HX20V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS40 vs the HX20V.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS40 and HX20V is 90 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading through technical specs. The photograph below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS40 and HX20V.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photos though you will need to take the age of the products into consideration. The more modern ZS40 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS40
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
52
manual focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
45
focusing manually
good megapixels (18MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS40
Street photography with Sony HX20V
69
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (254g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography factors
Sony HX20V Sports photography factors
54
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18MP)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
Travel photography with Sony HX20V
69
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than average (254 grams)
good megapixels (18MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS40
Landscape photography with Sony HX20V
56
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
supports RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
50
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX20V as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (240g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic socket
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of microphone support
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Sony HX20V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-01-06 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD with AR coating XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240 grams (0.53 pounds) 254 grams (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 300 shots 320 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $450 $397