Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX5
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27


92 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX5 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Introduced June 2010

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX5 Overview
Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony HX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is very close but the ZR1 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") boast different sensor dimensions.

The ZR1 was brought out 10 months prior to the HX5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the ZR1 grades versus the HX5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic ZR1 Gallery and Sony HX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony HX5
ZR1 | HX5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Panasonic ZR1
HX5 | ZR1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2010 | ![]() | July 2009 | More recent by 10 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony HX5
ZR1 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch display |
Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZR1 offers outside 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) whilst the Sony HX5 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony HX5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the ZR1 against the HX5.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and HX5 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be tough to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching specifications. The graphic underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR1 and HX5.
Plainly, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZR1 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic ZR1 will result in greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The older ZR1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony HX5 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 |
Also Known as | Lumix DMC-ZX1 | - |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-07-27 | 2010-06-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine V | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3456 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-200mm (8.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.10 m | 3.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 158g (0.35 lb) | 200g (0.44 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 ID | - | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $280 | $275 |