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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

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
  • Announced January 2012
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Panasonic SZ1 versus Panasonic ZR1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and ZR1 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was introduced 2 years after the ZR1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SZ1 scores against the ZR1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic ZR1

 SZ1 ZR1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012July 2009More modern by 30 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Panasonic SZ1

 ZR1 SZ1 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZR1

 SZ1 ZR1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ1 offers physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst 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).

Look at the Panasonic SZ1 versus Panasonic ZR1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ1 compared to the ZR1.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and ZR1 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The picture here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and ZR1.

To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic SZ1 to resolve extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger SZ1 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Portrait photography camera
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography factors
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography features
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography advice
70
lighter than competition (131g)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
no Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
43
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse function
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR1
32
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition (131g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
28
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZR1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also called - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-09 2009-07-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine V
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 4cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131 grams (0.29 lb) 158 grams (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 250 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $179 $280