• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Samsung NX20

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $1100 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Samsung NX20 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
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    614k 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
    20.3 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX20

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.

  • High quality images with lots of detail; Excellent graphical user interface is fun to use; Smart implementation of WiFi makes it relatively easy to share photos wirelessly.

  • Designed so much like a DSLR you may wonder why you shouldn't get a DSLR instead; Some performance issues, particularly slow buffer clearing and shot-to-shot speed; Initial WiFi set-up can be confusing.

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
Samsung NX20
Panasonic ZS10
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Samsung NX20
Panasonic ZS8
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-01

Panasonic ZS20
Pentax K-01
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Samsung NX20
Pentax K-01
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Panasonic ZS20
Sony NEX-F3
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Samsung NX20
Sony NEX-F3
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS19
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
Samsung NX20
Panasonic ZS19
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Compare Other Cameras?