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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A7 III

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 III front
Portability
63
Imaging
73
Features
92
Overall
80

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A7 III 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
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony A7 III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 650g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Succeeded the Sony A7 II
  • Renewed by Sony A7 IV
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A7 III Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony A7 III, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and A7 III (24MP) and the ZR1 (1/2.3") and A7 III (Full frame) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZR1 was launched 9 years prior to the A7 III which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A7 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the ZR1 matches up versus the A7 III with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony A7 III

 ZR1 A7 III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 III over the Panasonic ZR1

 A7 III ZR1 
IntroducedFebruary 2018July 2009Newer by 104 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony A7 III

 ZR1 A7 III 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A7 III Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZR1 provides external measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony A7 III has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony A7 III in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the ZR1 compared to the A7 III.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A7 III size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZR1 and A7 III is 94 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A7 III top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A7 III Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by checking a spec sheet. The picture here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR1 and A7 III.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZR1 featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A7 III will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged ZR1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A7 III sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A7 III Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A7 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
Portrait photography with Sony A7 III
20
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
83
has manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Street photography advice
Sony A7 III Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
provides focus by touch
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography advice
Sony A7 III Sports photography advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
86
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery pack (610 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7 III as a Travel photography camera
57
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
73
great battery pack (610 CIPA)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
provides focus by touch
good MP (24MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A7 III Landscape photography highlights
32
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
85
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
great battery pack (610 per charge)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZR1
Vlogging with Sony A7 III
28
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
36
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A7 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony A7 III
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Alpha A7 III
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Alpha A7 III
Other name Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-07-27 2018-02-27
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine V Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 693
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.10 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 grams (0.35 lbs) 650 grams (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 96
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.7
DXO Low light score not tested 3730
Other
Battery life - 610 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One Dual
Retail cost $280 $1,998