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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H20

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H20 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
  • Announced July 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Revealed May 2009
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H20 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony H20, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the H20 (10MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ZR1 was launched 3 months after the H20 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the ZR1 grades against the H20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony H20

 ZR1 H20 

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Panasonic ZR1

 H20 ZR1 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony H20

 ZR1 H20 
RevealedJuly 2009May 2009Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZR1 features physical 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) and the Sony H20 has dimensions of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony H20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the ZR1 against the H20.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and H20 is 94 and 87 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking a spec sheet. The image here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR1 and H20.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should count on the Panasonic ZR1 to give greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
Portrait photography with Sony H20
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
has manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Street photography camera
Sony H20 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than average (250 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony H20 as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
26
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony H20 as a Travel photography camera
57
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
very long zoom (380mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average (250g)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony H20 as a Landscape photography camera
32
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
36
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging highlights
Sony H20 Vlogging highlights
28
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than average (250g)
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony H20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-07-27 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 38-380mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-4.4
Macro focus range 3cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.10 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 grams (0.35 lbs) 250 grams (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
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 model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $280 $249