Manage updates with the Download AppPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 (Black)
Manufacturer: Panasonic Part number: DMC-ZS20K
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20's 20x zoom lens might be the main attraction, but the camera is all-around excellent.
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CNET editors' review
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 (Black) price range: $275.38 - $299.99
- Reviewed by: Joshua Goldman
- Reviewed on: 03/08/2012
- Released on: 04/01/2012
The good: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 has an excellent design and feature set, including an ultrawide-angle 20x zoom lens, GPS, and semimanual and manual shooting modes, as well as fast shooting performance and improved low-light photo quality from previous versions.
The bad: Using all of the ZS20's high-performance features, such as its near-pointless touch screen, can really cut into battery life. Also, photos are noisy and soft when viewed at 100 percent.
The bottom line: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20's 20x zoom lens might be the main attraction, but the camera is all-around excellent.
User reviews
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Excellent!
by HHPalmer on May 10, 2012
Pros: Easy to use, high quality picture, excellent zoom
Low light level performance is reasonable
Video quality is adequate to very good
GPS tagging works well
Stabilization works well
USB charging is very usefulCons: Battery life
Summary: Video is smooth and high quality. Control and button placement is good and easy to use especially for video with its own button on top. You can take still photos ...
Summary: Video is smooth and high quality. Control and button placement is good and easy to use especially for video with its own button on top. You can take still photos while recording videos. Telephoto works while shooting videos. Single photo 20x and extended 40x telephoto works well and focus stays sharp.
GPS tagging works well for me with Map Flickr and Flickr and will make for a nice trip display for photos taken in the same trip. The map data downloaded to the SD chip without a problem and the maps make for a nice on-camera display of the locations the photos were taken.
GPS tagging with the actual name of the location and not just coordinates is a feature I wasn't finding in other cameras. It's easy to burn through the battery in 1 to 2 hours while trying out all the features. I've ordered two more batteries to ensure more picture and video taking time. I like the up to 60 picture per second bursts and the more controlled 2 to 10 fps bursts.
Reviewing and deleting photos is intuitive and easy. The ability to touch the screen to tell the camera the focus of the photo is useful on a moving object like wildlife. The up to 14M photos are the best I've taken with a digital camera. USB charging is very useful. I've ordered an AC wall charger to be used charging back-up batteries while the camera is in use.
I'm glad I waited for the ZS20 to be released and didn't get the new Nicon or Canon telephoto versions. Smallest of the 20X cameras I was interested in. A great buy for less than $300.
My advice!, check for best deal before you're will buy the Panasonic Lumix ZS20 at: Digitalcamerasuggest.blogspot.com/p/panasonic-lumix-zs20.html
Good Luck My Friends!9 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great camera line. (I have ZS8.)
by jjhobbs on February 10, 2012
Pros: Very good picture quality for size of sensor/camera. Very nice hyper-range folded lens. Mine is fast starting/reacting. This one should be even faster. Bought my wife a prior version and its has taken some outstanding photos.
Cons: Very few. Even works fairly well at night under room lights (even at full tele). Small sensor means some definite graininess.
Summary: Wonderful travel camera.
Summary: Wonderful travel camera.
6 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Impressive for a camera this thin!
by The Skipper on April 14, 2012
Pros: 24mm to 480mm. Amazing burst speed. Excellent IQ for a camera this size. Super HD video with stereo sound. Nearly instant focusing. Touch subject on screen to focus and shoot.GPS with maps. Easy to navigate menus.
Cons: I'd prefer a button to go from shoot to view mode so that the camera is guaranteed to start in shoot mode. But that's nit picking.
Summary: Took home the Canon S100 and the Panasonic Lumix ZS20 and surprised myself when it was the Canon that I took back. Sure the IQ is better in the Canon ...
Summary: Took home the Canon S100 and the Panasonic Lumix ZS20 and surprised myself when it was the Canon that I took back. Sure the IQ is better in the Canon but not by much and not always. The ZS20 focuses much faster and the burst mode is faster too. I was able to take pictures of our dog in full flight with the ZS20 that I just couldn't get with the S100. Taking handheld pictures of birds at maximum 480mm zoom gets results that I had not expected from a pocket camera. This Panasonic is bar none the ideal travel camera. Just small enough to carry constantly on the belt and fast enough to be ready in an instant.
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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What a nice improvement!!
by rxmangriff on March 19, 2012
Pros: Much better/improved performance over my older DMC-TZ3
Cons: I still have my DMC-TZ3 and not the DMZ-SZ20!
Summary: Gotta qualify my comments - I don't own one. What I do own is a DMC-TZ3. Light years away. I originally bought my DMZ-TZ3 as an inexpensive point and ...
Summary: Gotta qualify my comments - I don't own one. What I do own is a DMC-TZ3. Light years away. I originally bought my DMZ-TZ3 as an inexpensive point and shoot pocket camera with an underwater housing for the occasional scuba diving trip, etc. The package probably cost me a little more than $500 4 years ago. It has served it's price point purpose OK for what it was AT THE TIME. In low light conditions you may as well leave it in your pocket! Underwater it is minimally OK. The video feature works accordingly. It has been with me on numerous cross country motorcycle trips also. It is durable to say the least.
Fast forward to my 2012 return scuba trip to Palau. The trusty DMC-TZ3 is once again along for the fun. Met 4 Czech guys on the dive boat. Underwater housings looked familiar. When the cameras came out they too looked familiar. DMC-ZS20's. "New model" they say. So we chat Panasonics for a few moments. I notice a few new features. I play with the settings menu. Maybe less of what I consider confusing options than on my TZ3 which isn't a bad thing. Bigger lens! HD!! First things that popped out to me. That was a wow factor too. Then they show me the low light underwater performance of the HD. Blew me away comparatively to my TZ3! Light and colors!! Those 4 years ago I only saw that type performance with the Japanese guys packing their very expensive Sony DVD camcorder outfits. What non-divers may not realize is that different light wave lengths/colors filter out at different depths so things tend to turn to a pale aqua green to your eyes without the colors of light available to reflect back to your eyes. What I was seeing was a clarity and actual color that my eyes did not pick up at those depths and without any special add-on lighting even on video. I'm not a techno guy but I'd make the assumption that there has been a major upgrade in the sensor. Now, it may not be as good as some other brands but we should also compare the prices of those other brands too and keep the comparisons in the same price range. My only regret now is that my current underwater housing will not work with this very similar camera and I'm going to have to replace both. I should've upgraded (had I known) before I left on my trip. Instead I bought a GoPro Hero2 HD in hopes that it's underwater performance would give me what I wanted instead. Too bad though as it has poor underwater performance. It's above water performance and it's utility are it's strong suite. Just more toys!
Anyone want to buy a DMC-TZ3 and underwater housing so I can finance the DMZ-ZS20??2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Panasonic
- Part number: DMC-ZS20K
- Description: The DMC-ZS20's powerful 20x optical zoom draws your subjects right up close, and lets you freely capture decisive sports scenes, along with the natural expressions of people and animals, and details that you can't even see with your bare eyes. In addition, this single camera lets you record 20x zoom in video recording. The ultra wide-angle lens - rare on a compact camera - gives you a wider range of composition possibilities with approx. 213% larger viewing space compared to that of 35mm camera. The super-high-quality LEICA DC lens minimizes distortion at the wide end.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type Digital camera - Compact
- Enclosure Color Black
- Resolution 14.1 megapixels
- 3D Technology Yes
- Optical Sensor Type MOS
- Total Pixels 15,300,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 14,100,000 pixels
- Optical Sensor Size 1/2.33"
- Digital Zoom 4 x
- Image Processor Venus Engine
- Image Stabilizer Optical (POWER O.I.S. with Active Mode)
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Auto Focus Points (Zones) Qty 23
- AE/AF Control Subject-tracking AF,
Touch Area AF - Face Detection Face Recognition,
Face Detection AF/AE - Digital Video Format QuickTime,
AVCHD,
H.264,
MJPEG - Image Recording Format JPEG,
MPO - Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080
- AV Interfaces HDMI,
Composite video/audio Exposure & White Balance
- Light Sensitivity ISO auto (1600-6400),
ISO 1600,
ISO 800,
ISO 100,
ISO 200,
ISO 400,
ISO auto - Exposure Metering Multi-segment,
Center-weighted,
Spot - Exposure Modes Program,
Automatic,
Shutter-priority,
Manual,
Aperture-priority - Shooting Programs Handheld night shot,
Underwater,
Sports mode,
Sunset,
Dynamic Range (HDR),
Night portrait,
baby2,
High sensitivity,
baby1,
Panorama assist,
Night scene,
Soft skin,
Food,
Scenery,
Pet,
Behind glass,
Portrait mode - Special Effects Miniature,
Expressive,
High Dynamic,
Dynamic B&W,
High Key,
Low Key,
Toy effect,
Vivid,
Soft Focus,
Black & White,
Sepia,
Retro,
Happy - White Balance Automatic,
Presets,
Custom - White Balance Presets Daylight,
Shade,
Incandescent,
Cloudy - Max Shutter Speed 1/2000 sec
- Min Shutter Speed 15 sec
- Exposure Compensation ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
- Auto Exposure Bracketing 3 steps
Lens System
- Type Leica 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.3 mm - 86 mm - F/3.3-6.4
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 24 - 480 mm
- Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Min Focus Range 19.7 in
- Macro Focus Range 1 in
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
- Lens Construction 10 groups / 12 elements
- Features Aspherical lens,
ED glass,
Nano Surface coating,
Built-in lens shield Camera Flash
- Camera Flash Built-in flash
- Flash Modes Fill-in mode,
Slow synchro,
Auto mode,
Flash OFF mode,
Red-eye reduction - Features AF illuminator
- Effective Flash Range 2 ft - 21 ft : ISO auto ( Wide lens ),
3.3 ft - 11 ft : ISO auto ( Tele lens ) Additional Features
- Continuous Shooting Speed 5 frames per second,
10 frames per second,
2 frames per second,
60 frames per second (2.5MPix),
40 frames per second (5Mpix) - Self Timer Delay 2 sec,
10 sec - Additional Features In-camera red-eye removal,
Dolby Digital Stereo Creator,
Intelligent Resolution Technology,
Resizing an image,
Cropping an image,
Date/time stamp,
Exif Print support,
Intelligent Auto (iA),
DPOF support,
Built-in GPS,
Face detection,
RGB primary color filter,
Built-in speaker,
Text input to Exif header,
Touch-screen control,
Histogram display,
Intelligent Scene Selector,
PictBridge support,
1080p Full HD movie recording,
USB 2.0 compatibility,
Direct print Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type None
Display
- Type 3 in LCD display
- Display Features Built-in
Microphone
- Microphone Operation Mode Mono
- Microphone Features Wind noise reduction
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Hi-Speed USB,
1 x Composite video/audio output,
1 x HDMI output Software
- Software Adobe Reader,
Drivers & Utilities,
Panasonic PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.1 Premium Edition,
Panasonic LUMIX Map Tool System Requirements for PC Connection
- Peripheral Devices DVD-ROM drive,
USB port Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories USB cable,
Power adapter,
Hand strap Battery
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
- Battery Life Details Photo shooting
Memory / Storage
- Memory Card Slot SD card
- Supported Memory Cards SDHC Memory Card,
SD Memory Card,
SDXC Memory Card - Internal Storage 12 MB
- Included Memory Card 12 MB Integrated
- Image Storage Fine,
Standard JPEG 4320 x 3240,
JPEG 4320 x 2880,
JPEG 4320 x 2432,
JPEG 3648 x 2736,
JPEG 3648 x 2432,
JPEG 3648 x 2056,
JPEG 3072 x 2304,
JPEG 3072 x 2048,
JPEG 3072 x 1728,
JPEG 2560 x 1920,
JPEG 2560 x 1712,
JPEG 2560 x 1440,
JPEG 2048 x 1536,
JPEG 2048 x 1360,
JPEG 1920 x 1080,
JPEG 640 x 480,
JPEG 640 x 424,
JPEG 640 x 360,
JPEG 3232 x 3232,
JPEG 2736 x 2736,
JPEG 2304 x 2304,
JPEG 1920 x 1920,
JPEG 1536 x 1536,
JPEG 480 x 480 - Video Capture AVCHD - 1920 x 1080 - 28Mbps,
AVCHD - 1920 x 1080 - 17Mbps,
AVCHD - 1280 x 720 - 17Mbps,
H.264 - 1920 x 1080 - 20Mbps,
H.264 - 1280 x 720 - 10Mbps,
H.264 - 640 x 480 - 4Mbps,
MJPEG - 320 x 240 Dimensions & Weight
- Width 4.1 in
- Depth 1.1 in
- Height 2.3 in
- Weight 6.5 oz
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
Product series
-
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 (Black)
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Specs: 14.1 megapixels,
20 x,
1/2.33",
MOS,
Optical (POWER O.I.S. with Active Mode) -
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 (Red)
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Specs: 14.1 megapixels,
20 x,
1/2.33",
MOS,
Optical (POWER O.I.S. with Active Mode) -
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 (Silver)
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Specs: 14.1 megapixels,
20 x,
1/2.33",
MOS,
Optical (POWER O.I.S. with Active Mode) -
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 (White)
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Specs: 14.1 megapixels,
20 x,
1/2.33",
MOS,
Optical (POWER O.I.S. with Active Mode)
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Panasonic products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:Panasonic
- Address:
One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094 - Phone: 800/662-3537
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