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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony NEX-5T

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
79
Overall
66

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony NEX-5T 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
  • Released July 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony NEX-5T
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5R
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony NEX-5T Overview

Here, we are comparing the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony NEX-5T, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and NEX-5T (16MP) and the ZR1 (1/2.3") and NEX-5T (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The ZR1 was manufactured 5 years prior to the NEX-5T which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summary of how the ZR1 grades versus the NEX-5T in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony NEX-5T

 ZR1 NEX-5T 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5T over the Panasonic ZR1

 NEX-5T ZR1 
AnnouncedAugust 2013July 2009More modern by 49 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony NEX-5T

 ZR1 NEX-5T 

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony NEX-5T Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZR1 has got exterior measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5T has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony NEX-5T in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the ZR1 versus the NEX-5T.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony NEX-5T size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ZR1 and NEX-5T is 94 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony NEX-5T top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony NEX-5T Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes purely by viewing specs. The image here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR1 and NEX-5T.

All in all, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ZR1 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony NEX-5T will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged ZR1 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony NEX-5T sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-5T Portrait photography factors
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-5T Street photography highlights
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
80
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography features
Sony NEX-5T Sports photography features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
69
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5T Travel photography advice
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
77
has touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
selfie friendly screen
does not have Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-5T Landscape photography highlights
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-5T Vlogging information
28
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
73
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
provides face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have image stabilization
does not have microphone port
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony NEX-5T
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Alpha NEX-5T
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Alpha NEX-5T
Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-07-27 2013-08-27
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine V Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 99
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Available lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 7.00 m (ISO100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 x1080 (60p/60i/24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 gr (0.35 lbs) 276 gr (0.61 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1015
Other
Battery life - 330 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $280 $400