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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Announced October 2009
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF2
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic ZS1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GF1 (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is pretty close but the GF1 (Four Thirds) and ZS1 (1/2.5") use different sensor sizes.

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The GF1 was manufactured 6 months after the ZS1 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the GF1 scores versus the ZS1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Panasonic ZS1

 GF1 ZS1 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Panasonic GF1

 ZS1 GF1 

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic ZS1

 GF1 ZS1 
ReleasedOctober 2009May 2009Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera often, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GF1 has got outside dimensions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") along with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS1 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic ZS1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the GF1 and the ZS1.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GF1 and ZS1 is 85 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing specs. The image here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF1 and ZS1.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GF1 due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic GF1 will result in greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography details
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
25
offers face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF1
Street photography with Panasonic ZS1
64
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography highlights
44
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
good battery power (380 CIPA)
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography info
59
good battery power (380 per charge)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
63
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography details
60
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (380 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging factors
25
comes with face detect focusing
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic ZS1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-10-14 2009-05-14
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 6.3
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 385 grams (0.85 lb) 229 grams (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 513 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $400 $0