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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS60
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Below is a extended assessment of the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS50, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and ZS50 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was launched 4 years prior to the ZS50 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ1 matches up versus the ZS50 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic ZS50

 SZ1 ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Panasonic SZ1

 ZS50 SZ1 
ReleasedJanuary 2015January 2012More recent by 36 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS50

 SZ1 ZS50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 comes with exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS50 has dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS50 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SZ1 and the ZS50.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and ZS50 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements merely by going over technical specs. The visual underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and ZS50.

As you can tell, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ1 to offer you more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older SZ1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography info
34
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
42
manual focus
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (131g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
68
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (243 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography advice
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
43
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography info
70
lighter than average in class (131 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
66
lighter than competitors in class (243 grams)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography features
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
51
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging advice
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (131 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
34
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (243 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-01-09 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 4cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131g (0.29 pounds) 243g (0.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life 250 images 300 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $179 $350