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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Older Model is Sony HX10V
  • Newer Model is Sony HX30V
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX20V Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony HX20V, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the HX20V and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the ZR1 grades versus the HX20V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony HX20V

 ZR1 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Panasonic ZR1

 HX20V ZR1 
IntroducedJuly 2012July 2009Fresher by 36 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony HX20V

 ZR1 HX20V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZR1 has got exterior 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 HX20V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the ZR1 and the HX20V.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and HX20V is 94 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by looking at specifications. The graphic below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR1 and HX20V.

To sum up, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Sony HX20V to give you more detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics more aggressively. The older ZR1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
45
has manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZR1
Street photography with Sony HX20V
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
includes tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR1
Travel photography with Sony HX20V
57
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competitors in class (254g)
megapixel count good (18MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
50
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging details
Sony HX20V Vlogging details
28
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
34
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (254g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing mic socket
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony HX20V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Other name Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-07-27 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine V BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.10 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 grams (0.35 lbs) 254 grams (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 life - 320 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $280 $397