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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony T900

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony T900 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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony T900
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 143g - 98 x 58 x 16mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony T900 Overview

Below is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony T900, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the T900 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was revealed 6 months later than the T900 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Sony T900 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the ZR1 scores vs the T900 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony T900

 ZR1 T900 

Reasons to pick Sony T900 over the Panasonic ZR1

 T900 ZR1 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen sizing3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony T900

 ZR1 T900 
LaunchedJuly 2009February 2009Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony T900 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZR1 features external measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony T900 has proportions of 98mm x 58mm x 16mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.6") and a weight of 143 grams (0.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony T900 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the ZR1 and the T900.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony T900 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZR1 and T900 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony T900 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony T900 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing specs. The photograph below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR1 and T900.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures although you need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony T900 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony T900 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony T900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography info
Sony T900 Portrait photography info
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low MP (12 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 T900
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography details
Sony T900 Sports photography details
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
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 T900 as a Travel photography camera
57
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography advice
Sony T900 Landscape photography advice
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
36
manual focus
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony T900 as a Vlogging camera
28
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
28
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony T900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony T900
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Announced 2009-07-27 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Ultracompact
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 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
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3.5 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 2.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 grams (0.35 lbs) 143 grams (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 98 x 58 x 16mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.6")
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
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $280 $300