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Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Launched January 2015
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS50
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
  • Announced July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • New Model is Sony HX30V
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Panasonic ZS45 versus Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZS45 (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS45 was revealed 2 years later than the HX20V and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the ZS45 scores versus the HX20V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Sony HX20V

 ZS45 HX20V 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015July 2012Fresher by 30 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k922kClearer display (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Panasonic ZS45

 HX20V ZS45 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS45 and Sony HX20V

 ZS45 HX20V 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS45 has got external measurements of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS45 versus Sony HX20V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the ZS45 versus the HX20V.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS45 and HX20V is 91 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading through specifications. The graphic here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS45 and HX20V.

Plainly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Sony HX20V to give you extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more modern ZS45 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
37
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
45
focusing manually
MP count good (18MP)
includes face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Street photography factors
Sony HX20V Street photography factors
69
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (249g)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography factors
Sony HX20V Sports photography factors
55
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (350 shots)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX20V Travel photography highlights
71
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (249 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX20V Landscape photography advice
47
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
better than average battery pack (350 shots)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
50
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging information
Sony HX20V Vlogging information
34
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (249g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic support
34
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of microphone port
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS45 and Sony HX20V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ57 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2015-01-06 2012-07-20
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
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
Number of focus points 21 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (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 data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249 grams (0.55 lb) 254 grams (0.56 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 life 350 photos 320 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $300 $397