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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S2100

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S2100 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
  • Released January 2012
Sony S2100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-105mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 61 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2010
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S2100 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Panasonic SZ1 versus Sony S2100, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and S2100 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was launched 2 years after the S2100 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SZ1 matches up versus the S2100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Sony S2100

 SZ1 S2100 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012January 2010More modern by 25 months

Reasons to pick Sony S2100 over the Panasonic SZ1

 S2100 SZ1 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony S2100

 SZ1 S2100 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S2100 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ1 provides 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 Sony S2100 has proportions of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ1 versus Sony S2100 in the all new Camera with 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 utilizing at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ1 against the S2100.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S2100 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and S2100 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S2100 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S2100 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ1 and S2100.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic SZ1 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern SZ1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S2100 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S2100 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S2100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography info
Sony S2100 Portrait photography info
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
20
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography features
Sony S2100 Street photography features
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
46
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography advice
Sony S2100 Sports photography advice
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
17
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography factors
Sony S2100 Travel photography factors
70
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography details
Sony S2100 Landscape photography details
43
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
27
screen is a good size (3 inch)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S2100 as a Vlogging camera
32
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (131g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic support
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S2100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Sony S2100
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-01-09 2010-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 33-105mm (3.2x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range 4cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 1 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131 gr (0.29 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 98 x 61 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 250 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, optional SD, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $179 $0