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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony H20

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony H20 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Released May 2009
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony H20 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony H20, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the H20 (10MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS5 was released 14 months later than the H20 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the ZS5 scores versus the H20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Sony H20

 ZS5 H20 
ReleasedJune 2010May 2009More recent by 14 months

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Panasonic ZS5

 H20 ZS5 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony H20

 ZS5 H20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera often, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS5 features outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony H20 has proportions of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony H20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS5 compared to the H20.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony H20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS5 and H20 is 92 and 87 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements just by going through technical specs. The visual underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS5 and H20.

As you can tell, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Panasonic ZS5 to show extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more recent ZS5 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS5
Portrait photography with Sony H20
27
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography information
Sony H20 Street photography information
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (214g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (250 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography details
Sony H20 Sports photography details
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
Travel photography with Sony H20
63
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
great zoom (380mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (250 grams)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography advice
Sony H20 Landscape photography advice
33
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
36
focusing manually
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging info
Sony H20 Vlogging info
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (250g)
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Sony H20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-06-16 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 38-380mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.5-4.4
Macro focus distance 3cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.30 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214 grams (0.47 pounds) 250 grams (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $300 $249