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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S950

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S950 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
  • Announced July 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S950 Overview

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the S950 (10MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was introduced 6 months later than the S950 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the ZR1 scores against the S950 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony S950

 ZR1 S950 

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Panasonic ZR1

 S950 ZR1 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony S950

 ZR1 S950 
AnnouncedJuly 2009February 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurement
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZR1 has got external measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony S950 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony S950 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the ZR1 against the S950.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ZR1 and S950 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR1 and S950.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZR1 to show extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony S950 Portrait photography highlights
20
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
25
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Street photography information
Sony S950 Street photography information
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography factors
Sony S950 Sports photography factors
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S950 as a Travel photography camera
57
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
50
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography factors
Sony S950 Landscape photography factors
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
31
you can focus manually
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging information
Sony S950 Vlogging information
28
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic port
9
can't shoot video
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony S950
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-07-27 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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
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
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $280 $130