- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How they compare
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Compare with...
- Panasonic Lumix TZ25
- Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
- Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v
- Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
- Canon PowerShot SX240 HS
Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)In addition to the improved optical zoom, the reach of the TZ30’s i.Zoom (intelligent Zoom) has also been increased to 40x (from 21x), while the digital zoom offers a staggering 80x magnification.
Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Feb, 2011)The 16x zoom lens makes this one of the most versatile compacts in terms of focal range, especially as it is coupled with Panasonic's excellent POWER O.I.S system, which helps to ensure that the majority of photos taken in good light are sharp.
Conclusion Which is better for you?
Features Key features of the Panasonic Lumix ZS20 compared to the DMC-ZS10
MP14
1/2.5"
Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)With Panasonic’s Power O.I.S (optical image stabilisation) switched on, the TZ30’s 20x zoom is capable of producing pleasingly sharp results, even when shooting handheld at higher telephoto settings.
14 MP
1/2.5"
Rated 78% by by c|net (Mar, 2011)The ZS10's controls are well spaced and easy to use, but its touch screen is under used.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 14 MP   | 20 MP |
Lumix ZS20 by raindrop07006 (Jul, 2012)Megapixel format packs a whopping 5.4Mb pictures at the highest resolution of 4320x3240 pixels!
Lumix DMC-ZS10 by M.-Henri-De-Feraudy (Sep, 2011)At wide angles the pictures a pretty sharp, but I really wonder why we are given 14 megapixels, whereas 10 megapixels would probably give you just as good an image, with smaller files.
sensor size
Lumix ZS20 by stevefoobar--Steve (May, 2012)Furthermore, with single images files as large as almost 13 MB in size from the 14.1 megapixel sensor, you have more than enough pixels to do some serious Photoshop work even without having RAW files to work with.
Lumix DMC-ZS10 by Photography Blog (Feb, 2011)You can only view the results on a 3D TV (the TZ20 records standard MPO files), and although it isn't as effective as images taken with Panasonic's 3D Micro Four Thirds lens or the Fujifilm 3D W3, for example, it does create quite a convincing effect which particularly suits subjects that are close-up to the camera.
wide angle lens
aperture size
Lumix ZS20 by Martin (May, 2012)The camera takes a burst of exposures, bracketing the aperture, and then automatically combines them to produce a single image with a well-lit foreground.
Lumix DMC-ZS10 by M.-Magley (Oct, 2011)My husband and I both shoot with DSLRs and are accustomed to having the ability to control how an image is taken (aperture or shutter priority, manual, etc).
zoom range
| 0x | 20x | 20x |
Lumix ZS20 by Mike-Brosnan (Nov, 2012)The camera is comfortable to hold, controls are reasonably intuitive, and it has good optical zoom and GPS.
Lumix DMC-ZS10 by Gcustomer (Jul, 2011)The ZS10 is nice for most pictures and video: faster, longer zoom, larger dispay and fits in a pocket.
body size
105 x 59 x 28 mm
105 x 58 x 33 mm
Lumix ZS20 by Tony-T.-Kao--HolycowShe complained the picture qualities were not as sharp as her other older compact cameras.
Lumix DMC-ZS10 by Chris-Raab (Jan, 2012)The size of the camera seems perfect in my hands, not too small and but just the right size that it feels comfortable and secure in my hands.
Performance Real world tests of Panasonic Lumix ZS20 vs DMC-ZS10
max continuous shooting
Lumix ZS20 by Martin (May, 2012)The camera also has an intelligent burst mode that takes just one shot of a static object but automatically takes a burst if the object is moving.
Differences What are the advantages of each
Advantages compared to the Lumix DMC-ZS10
| Create realistic 3D images | Yes | vs | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somewhat common; Create 3D photos to view on a 3D TV | |||
| Larger zoom range | 20x | vs | 16x |
| 25% larger zoom; Great for sports or nature when your subject is further away | |||
| Automatic panorama | Yes | vs | No |
| Somewhat common; Stitches together multiple photos into a single ultra-wide view | |||
| Supports HDR | Yes | vs | No |
| Somewhat common; Combines multiple photos together to capture both bright and dark areas | |||
| Marginally more recently announced | Jan, 2012 | vs | Jan, 2011 |
| Announced date over a year later | |||
Advantages compared to the Lumix ZS20
| Significantly longer long exposure | 60 s | vs | 15 s |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x longer long exposure; Capture creative photos such as night sky movement | |||
| Significantly faster max shutter speed | 1/4000 s | vs | 1/2000 s |
| 2x faster max shutter speed; capture fast action | |||
Reviews Word on the street
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 | ||
 |  
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Rated by 241 users at amazon.com Rated 80% by by Andrew-Griffin (Jul, 2012) | Rated by 192 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by ambaker (Nov, 2011) Rated 100% by by Dan--Dan (Jul, 2011) Rated 100% by by A.-Boom (Mar, 2012) | |
photography
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 100% by by gman33--gman33 (Aug, 2012)More important, the ZS20 is much skinnier, easier to use (subjective), much much faster, and has lightning quick and accurate focussing as well as the exceptional image stabilization that I believe will result in more usable shots for casual users.
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 100% by by Kate--Kate (Aug, 2012)I have had this camera for a week now and have taken pictures inside and outside, of pets, kids and landscape much better picture quality than the ZS10.
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 60% by by chitownfish (May, 2012)If I was traveling and outdoors more I would keep the Lumix - there are SO many other features on the Lumix ZS20 that I love, but if I'm always going to be disappointed by my indoor photos of people, I just can't keep it.
video
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)Lumix compacts have built a good reputation for shooting HD video and the TZ30 continues this trend, improving slightly on the TZ20’s headline specs with a maximum recordable quality of 1080/60p (as opposed to 1080/60i on the TZ20).
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 | Rated 100% by by Victor-Gavrilenko (Sep, 2011)ZS10 has better design, better menus, better size, 1080p video and more features.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 | Rated 60% by by hihuymsnSo, zs10 is my replacement and I have to disappoint those who expect the image and video quality improve on this new model.
sensor
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)At it’s heart the TZ30 uses a 1/2.3in MOS sensor with an effective resolution of 14.1MP.
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)Using ISO 100 as the benchmark, the TZ30 has produced a pleasing twilight picture of Trebarwith Strand.
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)At the lowest settings of ISO 100 and 200 the TZ30 captures noise-free images, however by as low as ISO 400 some visible noise does begin to creep into images.
travel
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)The Panasonic Lumix TZ30 succeeds the (still available) TZ20 as the company’s flagship travel compact, providing a number of useful upgrades over its predecessor.
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)The Panasonic Lumix TZ30 is a 14.1MP travel compact that offers the flexibility of a 20x optical zoom alongside touch-screen control and the ability to record 1080/60p Full HD movies.
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 100% by by Alex-Frances (Oct, 2012)One thing I dislike is having to charge the battery inside the camera so I bought me a travel charger: STK's Panasonic DMW-BCG10PP Battery Charger - for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7, DMC-ZS6, DMC-ZS10, DMC-ZS5, DMC-ZS3, DMC-ZS8, DMC-ZS1, DMC-ZR3, DMC-ZR1, DMC-TZ10, DMC-TZ7, DMC-TZ20, DMW BCG10, DMC-TZ8, DMC-ZX3, DMC-TZ6, DMC-ZX1, DMC-TZ18, DMW-BCG10E, DMC-TZ19.
image quality
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 100% by by Rolla-Gravett--Rolla-Gravett (May, 2012)I have compared it with the Sony HX9V in low light and the ZS20 is just as good in low light with pictures.
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 80% by by Pepe (Oct, 2012)Initially the ZS20 seems to have the same issue when you use the automatic settings, however, this can be "tweaked" by using the manual shutter (setting it at a value of 1/13 will make scene and background to look more natural with flash, while avoiding subjects to be blurry).
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)Used in good natural light the TZ30 is super-fast to focus and produces pleasing results.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Panasonic Lumix TZ25 2-way tie: More contrast-detection focus points |
 | 5 | Canon PowerShot SX240 HS Rated the best by consumers |
 | 6 | Canon PowerShot SX260 HS 2-way tie: Shoots video in 24p |
 | 8 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ18 2-way tie: Long long exposure |
Popular Questions
April 30, 2012
Snap shots, nature, scenic, sports
I am more of an intermediate than beginner and certainly not expert. At one point I had a SLR with significant zoom ability. Zoom is important feature. Image quality is important as I like...
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Wedding photos
Off to a wedding so i shall need a camera what gives good quality photos
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Birdlife, solar photography w. Warm color
Telephotos often low light, travel, occasional Macrophotography, Sky, attach to solar telescope, prefer warm color for this purpose,
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socalbosoxgal 
Beginner I
I have been researching Lumix cameras and the ZS20 has an amazing zoom capability. View socalbosoxgal's recommendation
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