• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Sony QX30

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.42 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 260 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 57 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony QX30 advantages over Panasonic ZS20

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 480 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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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.

  • Read our Panasonic ZS20 Express Review

The Competition

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

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS10

Sony QX30
Panasonic ZS10
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony QX30 vs Panasonic ZS10

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

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS8

Sony QX30
Panasonic ZS8
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony QX30 vs Panasonic ZS8

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS19
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS19

Sony QX30
Panasonic ZS19
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony QX30 vs Panasonic ZS19

Compared to Nikon S9500

Panasonic ZS20
Nikon S9500
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Nikon S9500

Sony QX30
Nikon S9500
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony QX30 vs Nikon S9500

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS40
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS40

Sony QX30
Panasonic ZS40
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony QX30 vs Panasonic ZS40

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