Nikon D50 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D50 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon D50 was introduced in July 2005 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 was introduced in April 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D50 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 over Nikon D50.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon D50 has a 2.0" screen with 130k dot resolution and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 has a 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality (available only on Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20) allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Nikon D50

Nikon D50 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.75x (0.50x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20.

Nikon D50 features a 6.1 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 369.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 features a 14.1 megapixel 1/2.33-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm and a total area of 20.8 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400.

Nikon D50 can take pictures up to 3008 x 2000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2256 x 1496, 1504 x 1000 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 can take pictures up to 4320 x 3240 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4320 x 3240, 4320 x 2880, 4320 x 2432, 3648 x 2736, 3648 x 2432, 3648 x 2056, 3232 x 3232,3072 x 2048, 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 1728, 2736 x 2736, 2560 x 1920, 2560 x 1712, 2560 x 1440, 2304 x 2304, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1920, 1920 x 1080, 1536 x 1536, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360, 480 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 has an image stabilization.

Built-in GPS on Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D50 comes with EN-EL3 battery pack.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D50 has a single SD card slot. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D50 has Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D50, and up to 1/2000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. Nikon D50 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 11.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D50 and 6.40 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. Nikon D50 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with safety lock provided. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/500 sec on Nikon D50.

Nikon D50 body has dimensions of 133 x 102 x 76 mm (5.24 x 4.02 x 2.99") and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 body has dimensions of 105 x 59 x 28 mm (4.13 x 2.32 x 1.1"). Nikon D50 weighs 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 weighs 206 g (0.45 lb / 7.27 oz).

Nikon D50

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20

133 mm

102 mm

105 mm

59 mm

102 mm

59 mm

76 mm

28 mm