• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSC-G3 advantages over Panasonic ZS20

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 28 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Sony DSC-G3

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 260 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 10.1 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 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 1 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/2000 vs 1/1000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 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
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSC-G3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS20
All ZS20 Deals

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

The Competition

Compared to Olympus 1030 SW

Sony DSC-G3
Olympus 1030 SW
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSC-G3 vs Olympus 1030 SW

Panasonic ZS20
Olympus 1030 SW
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Olympus 1030 SW

Compared to Olympus Tough-8000

Sony DSC-G3
Olympus Tough-8000
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSC-G3 vs Olympus Tough-8000

Panasonic ZS20
Olympus Tough-8000
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Olympus Tough-8000

Compared to Olympus Tough-6000

Sony DSC-G3
Olympus Tough-6000
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle lens

Compare Sony DSC-G3 vs Olympus Tough-6000

Panasonic ZS20
Olympus Tough-6000
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Olympus Tough-6000

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Sony DSC-G3
Panasonic ZS10
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony DSC-G3 vs 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

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Sony DSC-G3
Panasonic ZS19
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony DSC-G3 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?