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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H90

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H90 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 H90
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 222g - 105 x 60 x 34mm
  • Revealed February 2012
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H90 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony H90, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and H90 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was introduced 3 years earlier than the H90 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the ZR1 scores versus the H90 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony H90

 ZR1 H90 

Reasons to pick Sony H90 over the Panasonic ZR1

 H90 ZR1 
RevealedFebruary 2012July 2009Newer by 31 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony H90

 ZR1 H90 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H90 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZR1 enjoys exterior measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony H90 has measurements of 105mm x 60mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony H90 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the ZR1 against the H90.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H90 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and H90 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by checking out technical specs. The image underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR1 and H90.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can expect to see the Sony H90 to provide more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZR1 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography information
Sony H90 Portrait photography information
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
36
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detection focusing
no manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Street photography camera
Sony H90 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (222g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography highlights
Sony H90 Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
44
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography features
Sony H90 Travel photography features
57
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
no Timelapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition in class (222 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
Landscape photography with Sony H90
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse function
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging highlights
Sony H90 Vlogging highlights
28
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone socket
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (222g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony H90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
Alternative name Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-07-27 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine V BIONZ
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 3.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158g (0.35 lb) 222g (0.49 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 105 x 60 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 290 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch cost $280 $230