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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H50

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 front
Portability
69
Imaging
32
Features
25
Overall
29

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H50 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
Sony H50
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-465mm (F2.7-4.5) lens
  • 547g - 116 x 81 x 86mm
  • Revealed January 2009
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H50 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony H50, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and H50 (9MP) but they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was unveiled 7 months later than the H50 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the ZR1 grades vs the H50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony H50

 ZR1 H50 
RevealedJuly 2009January 2009Fresher by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony H50 over the Panasonic ZR1

 H50 ZR1 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony H50

 ZR1 H50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZR1 features exterior dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony H50 has measurements of 116mm x 81mm x 86mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.4") with a weight of 547 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony H50 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the ZR1 compared to the H50.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H50 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and H50 is 94 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H50 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing just by going through a spec sheet. The visual below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZR1 and H50.

Clearly, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic ZR1 to produce extra detail having an extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more modern ZR1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony H50 Portrait photography highlights
21
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
has manual focus
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZR1
Street photography with Sony H50
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than others in class (547 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography factors
Sony H50 Sports photography factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
32
incredible zoom range (31-465mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony H50 as a Travel photography camera
57
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
44
flash built-in
great zoom (465mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (547g)
low resolution sensor (9MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony H50 as a Landscape photography camera
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
34
has manual focus
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
low resolution sensor (9MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZR1
Vlogging with Sony H50
28
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
19
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
heavier than others in class (547 grams)
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony H50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50
Other name Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-07-27 2009-01-15
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine V -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3456 x 2592
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 31-465mm (15.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.7-4.5
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.10 m 9.10 m
Flash modes 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
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) 640 x 480, 30 fps, 320 x 240, 8 fps
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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 lbs) 547g (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 116 x 81 x 86mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $280 $80