Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony A100

Following is a extensive overview of the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony A100, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the A100 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the ZR1 (1/2.3") and A100 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The ZR1 was revealed 3 years after the A100 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the ZR1 scores versus the A100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A100. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZR1 Gallery & Sony A100 Gallery.

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZR1 enjoys external measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony A100 has dimensions of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony A100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the ZR1 against the A100.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the ZR1 and A100 is 94 and 64 respectively.

Often, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes purely by seeing specifications. The picture underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR1 and A100.

To sum up, both of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZR1 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Panasonic ZR1 will provide more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher ZR1 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.