• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 7.2 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-S730 advantages over Panasonic ZS20

  • Less expensive
    $130 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.88 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Fast startup
    ~1.80 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Sony DSC-S730

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.33 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 112k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 7.2 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 1/8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1250 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS20
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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 Sony DSC-S750

Sony DSC-S730
Sony DSC-S750
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $98
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Lighter weight

Compare Sony DSC-S730 vs Sony DSC-S750

Panasonic ZS20
Sony DSC-S750
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $98
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony DSC-S750

Compared to Pentax E60

Sony DSC-S730
Pentax E60
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $100
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Manual focus

Compare Sony DSC-S730 vs Pentax E60

Panasonic ZS20
Pentax E60
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $100
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E60

Compared to Panasonic DMC-LS85

Sony DSC-S730
Panasonic DMC-LS85
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $120
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSC-S730 vs Panasonic DMC-LS85

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic DMC-LS85
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $120
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic DMC-LS85

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Sony DSC-S730
Panasonic ZS10
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony DSC-S730 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-S730
Panasonic ZS19
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony DSC-S730 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

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