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Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
80
Overall
62
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ1000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-400mm (F2.8-4.0) lens
  • 831g - 137 x 99 x 131mm
  • Revealed June 2014
  • Updated by Panasonic FZ2500
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Panasonic FZ1000 versus Panasonic SZ1, former being a Large Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both built by Panasonic. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the FZ1000 (20MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the FZ1000 (1") and SZ1 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor size.

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The FZ1000 was introduced 2 years later than the SZ1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ1000 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the FZ1000 matches up against the SZ1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ1000 over the Panasonic SZ1

 FZ1000 SZ1 
LaunchedJune 2014January 2012Fresher by 30 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic FZ1000

 SZ1 FZ1000 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ1000 and Panasonic SZ1

 FZ1000 SZ1 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ1000 has got external dimensions of 137mm x 99mm x 131mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 5.2") accompanied by a weight of 831 grams (1.83 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FZ1000 versus Panasonic SZ1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the FZ1000 compared to the SZ1.

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FZ1000 and SZ1 is 55 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing specifications. The visual here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ1000 and SZ1.

Plainly, the two cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FZ1000 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic FZ1000 will produce extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The fresher FZ1000 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography features
70
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography features
70
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
67
great zoom range (25-400mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
supports tracking focus
lack of phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography advice
65
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (400mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography advice
64
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
43
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging advice
66
rather wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic port
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
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Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ1000 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Large Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-06-12 2012-01-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-400mm (16.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.0 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 2.7 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.50 m (at Auto ISO) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840x2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p) 1280x720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 831 grams (1.83 lbs) 131 grams (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 99 x 131mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 5.2") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 517 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 250 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLC12PP -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $800 $179