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Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS45
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was brought out 5 years earlier than the ZS40 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the ZR1 scores versus the ZS40 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Panasonic ZS40

 ZR1 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Panasonic ZR1

 ZS40 ZR1 
ReleasedJanuary 2014July 2009More recent by 54 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Panasonic ZS40

 ZR1 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZR1 provides external dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40 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 dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the ZR1 and the ZS40.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the ZR1 and ZS40 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by checking out specs. The visual here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR1 and ZS40.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS40 to provide extra detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The older ZR1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography advice
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
52
has manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography factors
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
69
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average (240g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR1
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
57
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than average (240g)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Landscape photography camera
32
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
56
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging features
28
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
34
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (240 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no external mic jack
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Panasonic ZS40
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also called Lumix DMC-ZX1 Lumix DMC-TZ60
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-07-27 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine V Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158g (0.35 pounds) 240g (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 - 300 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $280 $450