Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS1

Following is a extensive analysis of the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the SZ7 (14MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the SZ7 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") posses different sensor sizes.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

The SZ7 was brought out 2 years after the ZS1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SZ7 matches up against the ZS1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic SZ7 Gallery & Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.

If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ7 provides external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS1 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ7 and the ZS1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ7 and ZS1 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Sometimes, its hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes purely by looking through technical specs. The image below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ7 and ZS1.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ7 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic SZ7 will render more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The newer SZ7 should have an edge in sensor technology.