Best Panasonic Lumix ZS20

From the Manufacturer

The price is $699.00
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 14.1 MP High Sensitivity MOS Digital Camera
LENS PERFORMANCE
Powerful 20x Optical Zoom The DMC-ZS20's powerful 20x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 24-480mm) 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. It makes the DMC-ZS20 twice as attractive.
	40x Intelligent Zoom The Intelligent Zoom is an extensive zoom function using digital zoom, however, you can even draw the subject 2x closer than the original optical zoom with minimum deterioration of image quality thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. This means the 20x optical can virtually extend to 40x equivalent.
	24mm Ultra Wide-angle Lens The 24mm 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. *Converted to standard 35mm camera equivalent, at the wide-end.
	LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR Lens Newly developed LEICA DC lens system that achieves both high image quality and small size is redesigned to further extend its powerful zoom to 20x (35mm camera equivalent: 24-480mm). Comprising 12 elements in 10 groups including 3 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces and 2 ED lenses, adoption of ultra thin lens for its new structure optical system makes the unit's overall length short to fit in the slim body despite its versatile zoom range from 24mm ultra wide-angle to 20x telephoto.
	Nano Surface Coating The Panasonic's black box technology Nano Surface Coating boasts extremely low reflectance ratio and it is applied to DMC-ZS20 for exceptional optical performance with stunning clarity by minimizing flaring and ghosts.
POWER O.I.S. The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) suppresses the low-frequency vibration hand-shake component, which is physically generated when pressing the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed. The POWER O.I.S. also works for powerful zoom shots, which are especially susceptible to hand-shake in a compact camera. Active mode is effective for video recording.
IMAGE QUALITY
14.1-megapixel MOS Sensor The 14.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor is newly developed for the DMC-ZS20 for even higher image quality. This boasts better S/N ratio compared with the 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor in the DMC-ZS20. Together with the performance of the Venus Engine, quality of image shot in low-lit situations is dramatically improved reducing the noise to its half level*. * At ISO1600, Panasonic measurement. Venus Engine The DMC-ZS20's Venus Engine processes large amount of progressive full HD data at high speed. At the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine, the Venus Engine realizes a super-fast response time. Intelligent Noise Reduction System The excellent S/N ratio of the MOS sensor and the Intelligent Noise Reduction system in the Venus Engine make both photos and videos shot at any sensitivity from low to high and boast outstanding clearness. Multi-process Noise Reduction System Newly developed Multi-process Noise Reduction applies optimum noise reduction according to the brightness of the part of the image. Images recorded in low-lit situations are now dramatically clear. Intelligent HDR The DMC-ZS20 integrates Intelligent HDR (High Dynamic Range) in the iA Mode. Several still pictures consecutively shot at different exposure levels are overlaid to produce a single composite picture without whiteout (over-exposure) or blackout (under-exposure). The HDR Mode is also available in the Scene Mode.
Intelligent Resolution Technology Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way according to the area. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp.
VIDEO

1920 x 1080 60p (NTSC) Full HD Video in AVCHD Progressive Format The DMC-ZS20 can record high-resolution full HD 1,920 x 1,080 60p (NTSC) videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4 / H.264) format. Upgrading the full HD recording capability from interlaced to progressive, subjects with fast motion or fine details are reproduced even more clearly.
MP4 Format Recording The DMC-ZS20 can also record full HD 1,920 x 1,080 30p (NTSC) videos in MP4 format. This format is suitable for editing videos on a computer or uploading those to websites. 60 (NTSC) Progressive Recording 1080/60p (progressive) conveys about twice the information of 1080i (interlace) recording. Whereas interlacing requires two images to produce a complete picture, the progressive method records a single image as a complete picture. It creates intricate detail and silky smooth motion. Even when subjects move quickly, afterimages are minimized to create more natural images. Interlaced Scanning Only half of the image data is reproduced in each picture. Progressive Scanning Reproduces all of image data in a single picture. * These are standard times taken at a temperature of 23°C (73.4°F) and a humidity of 50%RH. The time available for recording varies depending on the environment, the interval between recordings, and the manner of use. Actual recordable time is the time available for recording when repeating actions such as switching the power supply [ON]/[OFF], starting/stopping recording, zoom operation, etc. • [For NTSC Areas] Maximum time to record motion pictures continuously with [AVCHD] is 29 minutes 59 seconds. (Excluding when [GS] or [SH] is set) Motion pictures in [MP4] can be recorded continuously for up to 29 minutes 59 seconds. Also, motion picture recorded continuously in [MP4] is up to 4 GB. Also, motion picture recorded continuously in [MP4] is up to 4 GB. • The length of recording time depends on the capacity of the SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card. •Use a card with SD Speed Class* with "Class 4" or higher when recording videos. * SD Speed Class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.
	The POWER O.I.S. with Active Mode The Active Mode effectively suppresses blur in video recording especially at wide angle while walking or playing with your children. In addition, it's an optical system so there's no image degradation. It's especially good for active video shooting.