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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Announced August 2009
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Here is a thorough comparison of the Canon SX120 IS versus Panasonic ZR1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and ZR1 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SX120 IS was released around the same time to the ZR1 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SX120 IS matches up vs the ZR1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Panasonic ZR1

 SX120 IS ZR1 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Canon SX120 IS

 ZR1 SX120 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic ZR1

 SX120 IS ZR1 
RevealedAugust 2009July 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX120 IS has got outside measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR1 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX120 IS versus Panasonic ZR1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SX120 IS versus the ZR1.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX120 IS and ZR1 is 87 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX120 IS and ZR1.

To sum up, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SX120 IS because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Panasonic ZR1 will show more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Portrait photography camera
33
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/500s)
no external flash support
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
20
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Street photography camera
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
heavier than others in class (285g)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
26
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography highlights
51
built-in flash
long zoom (360mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (285 grams)
low MP (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
57
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography features
36
you can focus manually
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging info
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging info
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
heavier than others in class (285 grams)
28
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic ZR1
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-08-19 2009-07-27
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Venus Engine V
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-360mm (10.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 285 grams (0.63 pounds) 158 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $249 $280