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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS100

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 front
Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS100 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 ZS100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-250mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 312g - 111 x 65 x 44mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ100
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS200
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Panasonic SZ1 versus Panasonic ZS100, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the ZS100 (20MP) is pretty close but the SZ1 (1/2.3") and ZS100 (1") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ1 was launched 5 years earlier than the ZS100 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SZ1 matches up versus the ZS100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic ZS100

 SZ1 ZS100 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS100 over the Panasonic SZ1

 ZS100 SZ1 
RevealedJanuary 2016January 2012More recent by 48 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS100

 SZ1 ZS100 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 comes with external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS100 has dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ1 versus Panasonic ZS100 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ1 and the ZS100.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS100 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and ZS100 is 95 and 87 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS100 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements purely by researching a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and ZS100.

As you can see, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SZ1 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic ZS100 will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older SZ1 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS100 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS100
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
64
you can focus manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS100 Street photography features
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (131 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
78
built in image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
lighter than competition (312g)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS100 Sports photography info
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
67
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
offers tracking autofocus
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS100 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than average (131g)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
75
lighter than competition (312 grams)
provides touch to focus
decent MP (20MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS100 Landscape photography information
43
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
68
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS100
32
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than average (131 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition (312 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic socket
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS100
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ100
Class Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-09 2016-01-05
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD MOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 49
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 4cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 9.9fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 8.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p), 1920 x 1080 @ 60p/60i/30p/24p, 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 131 gr (0.29 pounds) 312 gr (0.69 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 111 x 65 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 559
Other
Battery life 250 photos 300 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Price at launch $179 $700