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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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
  • Released July 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZR1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both created by Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and ZR1 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was unveiled 3 years after the ZR1 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SZ3 grades vs the ZR1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic ZR1

 SZ3 ZR1 
ReleasedJanuary 2013July 2009More modern by 42 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Panasonic SZ3

 ZR1 SZ3 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZR1

 SZ3 ZR1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ3 has got exterior measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 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).

See the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZR1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ3 vs the ZR1.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ3 and ZR1 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ3 and ZR1.

As you can see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic SZ3 to resolve more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more modern SZ3 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography advice
30
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Street photography camera
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography advice
41
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography information
71
lighter than competition (126g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography features
39
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
32
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
28
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZR1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Other name - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-01-07 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 dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 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 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126g (0.28 lbs) 158g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $150 $280