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Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF1
  • Updated by Panasonic GF3
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GF2 (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is fairly close but the GF2 (Four Thirds) and ZS1 (1/2.5") feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The GF2 was introduced 22 months after the ZS1 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summary of how the GF2 grades against the ZS1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Panasonic ZS1

 GF2 ZS1 
LaunchedFebruary 2011May 2009More modern by 22 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Panasonic GF2

 ZS1 GF2 

Common features in the Panasonic GF2 and Panasonic ZS1

 GF2 ZS1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF2 features exterior measurements of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") having a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS1 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the GF2 vs the ZS1.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF2 and ZS1 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the GF2 and ZS1.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GF2 using its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Panasonic GF2 will result in more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The fresher GF2 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography info
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
25
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS1 Street photography features
65
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography info
38
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
low fps (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 shots)
no phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GF2
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS1
52
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography highlights
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
31
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging details
32
touchscreen capability
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of mic jack
31
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (229g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF2 and Panasonic ZS1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-02-24 2009-05-14
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
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)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 6.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 310 gr (0.68 pounds) 229 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 506 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $330 $0