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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
55
Overall
46
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS50
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Released January 2012
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS45 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS45 was announced 2 years after the VS20 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a quick overview of how the ZS45 matches up against the VS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Pentax VS20

 ZS45 VS20 
ReleasedJanuary 2015January 2012Newer by 36 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic ZS45

 VS20 ZS45 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax VS20

 ZS45 VS20 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS45 comes with physical measurements of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS45 against the VS20.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS45 and VS20 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by checking out specs. The image underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS45 and VS20.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution and you should expect comparable quality of pictures but you might want to take the release date of the cameras into account. The newer ZS45 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
Portrait photography with Pentax VS20
37
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
36
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Street photography details
Pentax VS20 Street photography details
69
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (249g)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS45
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
56
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
great battery (350 CIPA)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography information
Pentax VS20 Travel photography information
71
great battery (350 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (249g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than competition in class (235g)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography advice
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
48
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
great battery (350 shots)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
47
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (249g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic port
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 Pentax Optio VS20
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ57 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2015-01-06 2012-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 21 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2500s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 249g (0.55 lbs) 235g (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 350 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $300 $106