• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-ZS5 advantages over Sony TX20

  • More telephoto lens reach
    300 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony TX20 advantages over Panasonic DMC-ZS5

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 1.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    17 mm vs 32 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    133g vs 206g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.29 vs 0.41 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Panasonic DMC-ZS5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony TX20

Review Excerpt

  • Sleek, stylish, slender design; Easy to handle and fast to shoot; Good print quality at up to 13 x 19 inches; Low shutter lag; 10fps burst mode.

  • Touchscreen display is hard to see and use in bright light; Inconsistent image exposure; Mild distortion problems; no GPS.

  • Read our Sony TX20 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZS3

Panasonic DMC-ZS5
Panasonic DMC-ZS3
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZS5 vs Panasonic DMC-ZS3

Sony TX20
Panasonic DMC-ZS3
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony TX20 vs Panasonic DMC-ZS3

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Panasonic DMC-ZS5
Panasonic DMC-ZS7
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZS5 vs Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Sony TX20
Panasonic DMC-ZS7
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony TX20 vs Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Compared to Sony DSC-TX100V

Panasonic DMC-ZS5
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZS5 vs Sony DSC-TX100V

Sony TX20
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Sony TX20 vs Sony DSC-TX100V

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic DMC-ZS5
Panasonic ZS10
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZS5 vs Panasonic ZS10

Sony TX20
Panasonic ZS10
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony TX20 vs Panasonic ZS10

Compared to Sony TX200V

Panasonic DMC-ZS5
Sony TX200V
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZS5 vs Sony TX200V

Sony TX20
Sony TX200V
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Sony TX20 vs Sony TX200V

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