• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Nikon D3400

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D3400 advantages over Panasonic ZS20

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1200 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3400

Review Excerpt

  • Very long zoom lens; Full HD video; Great grip; Built-in GPS; HDR and Handheld Night Shot modes.

  • Poor image quality due to excessive noise suppression; Flash too close to the grip; No GPS logging; Battery only charges in the camera; Limited touchscreen.

  • Compact DSLR camera body; Excellent image quality; Reliable single-shot autofocus; Good continuous JPEG shooting performance; New kit lens has improved AF; Great value at current prices.

  • SnapBridge is slow and limited; Poor continuous autofocus; No built-in Wi-Fi; Mediocre video features.

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Panasonic ZS20
Canon T6i
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in GPS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D3400
Canon T6i
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS10
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Faster shutter
Nikon D3400
Panasonic ZS10
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS8
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon D3400
Panasonic ZS8
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS19
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
Nikon D3400
Panasonic ZS19
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Nikon D5500

Panasonic ZS20
Nikon D5500
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in GPS
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D3400
Nikon D5500
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
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