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Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Panasonic L1
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Introduced April 2007
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

The following is a complete overview of the Panasonic L1 and Panasonic ZS5, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and ZS5 (12MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The L1 was released 4 years before the ZS5 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic L1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summary of how the L1 grades vs the ZS5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Panasonic ZS5

 L1 ZS5 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic L1

 ZS5 L1 
AnnouncedJune 2010April 2007Newer by 38 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k207kCrisper screen (+23k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Panasonic ZS5

 L1 ZS5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic L1 enjoys physical dimensions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") along with a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic L1 and Panasonic ZS5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the L1 and the ZS5.

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L1 and ZS5 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by checking specs. The image here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the L1 and ZS5.

All in all, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The L1 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic ZS5 will give greater detail as a result of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged L1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic L1 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography details
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (7MP)
27
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
58
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average (606 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (214g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
slow fps (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (7 megapixels)
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic L1 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography factors
50
lighter than average (606g)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
low megapixels (7MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
63
lighter than average in class (214 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
47
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (7MP)
no Timelapse function
33
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic L1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging factors
9
can't shoot video
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than average in class (214 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2007-04-11 2010-06-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 7MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3136 x 2352 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 207k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606 gr (1.34 lbs) 214 gr (0.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $1,500 $300