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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Announced July 2012
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Panasonic. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ5 (14MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the SZ5 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") have different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ5 was released 3 years after the ZS1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SZ5 grades vs the ZS1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic ZS1

 SZ5 ZS1 
RevealedJuly 2012May 2009More modern by 39 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Panasonic SZ5

 ZS1 SZ5 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS1

 SZ5 ZS1 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ5 offers exterior dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS1 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ5 and the ZS1.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and ZS1 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching specs. The image underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and ZS1.

All in all, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ5 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Panasonic SZ5 will result in greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The fresher SZ5 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ5
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS1
34
megapixel count good (14MP)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
25
has face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Street photography info
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (136g)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography info
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
features tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography features
70
lighter than others in class (136g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography information
42
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS1
32
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone support
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competition (229g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-07-18 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 grams (0.30 pounds) 229 grams (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $195 $0