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Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZR1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both designed by Panasonic. The image resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S2 was manufactured 2 years after the ZR1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the S2 scores versus the ZR1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Panasonic ZR1

 S2 ZR1 
RevealedJanuary 2012July 2009Newer by 30 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Panasonic S2

 ZR1 S2 

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZR1

 S2 ZR1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic S2 provides outer measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR1 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZR1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the S2 and the ZR1.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and ZR1 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading through specs. The pic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the S2 and ZR1.

All in all, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic S2 to give you extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively. The more recent S2 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography factors
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
comes with face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
21
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography details
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography details
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (112g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S2
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR1
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
good battery pack (280 shots)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography advice
70
good battery pack (280 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (112g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
41
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
good battery pack (280 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
32
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging features
32
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (112g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
28
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZR1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-09 2009-07-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine V
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 112g (0.25 pounds) 158g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 life 280 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $109 $280