• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 48 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    207g vs 357g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Panasonic ZS20

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.92 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.80 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS20

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Buy the Olympus XZ-2
Olympus XZ-2

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

  • Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.

  • Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.

  • Read our Olympus XZ-2 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

Olympus XZ-2
Panasonic ZS10
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus XZ-2 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

Olympus XZ-2
Panasonic ZS8
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus XZ-2 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

Olympus XZ-2
Panasonic ZS19
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Panasonic ZS19

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Panasonic ZS20
Pentax MX-1
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax MX-1

Olympus XZ-2
Pentax MX-1
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Pentax MX-1

Compared to Canon G16

Panasonic ZS20
Canon G16
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Canon G16

Olympus XZ-2
Canon G16
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G16

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