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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax S1

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

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
  • Launched July 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the S1 (14MP) is relatively close and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was revealed 19 months earlier than the S1 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the ZR1 scores against the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Pentax S1

 ZR1 S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic ZR1

 S1 ZR1 
IntroducedMarch 2011July 2009More modern by 19 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax S1

 ZR1 S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZR1 comes with exterior dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the ZR1 against the S1.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and S1 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by viewing specs. The pic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ZR1 and S1.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax S1 to result in more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged ZR1 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
Portrait photography with Pentax S1
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
35
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Street photography info
Pentax S1 Street photography info
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR1
Travel photography with Pentax S1
57
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
64
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
32
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
42
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging advice
Pentax S1 Vlogging advice
28
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Pentax Optio S1
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-07-27 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine V -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.10 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158g (0.35 pounds) 157g (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" 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 - 260 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $280 $174