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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony TX20

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
50
Overall
42

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony TX20 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
  • Launched July 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony TX20 Overview

The following is a extended comparison of the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony TX20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and TX20 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ZR1 was launched 3 years before the TX20 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the ZR1 matches up vs the TX20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony TX20

 ZR1 TX20 

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Panasonic ZR1

 TX20 ZR1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012July 2009Newer by 31 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony TX20

 ZR1 TX20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZR1 provides exterior dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony TX20 has sizing of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony TX20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the ZR1 vs the TX20.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and TX20 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching specs. The image below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR1 and TX20.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony TX20 to provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZR1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Portrait photography camera
20
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
39
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Street photography advice
Sony TX20 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
environment proof
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography details
Sony TX20 Sports photography details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
great battery (250 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography info
Sony TX20 Travel photography info
57
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
72
great battery (250 CIPA)
environment proof
comes with touch focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony TX20 Landscape photography highlights
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
51
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
great battery (250 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging advice
Sony TX20 Vlogging advice
28
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
35
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony TX20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-07-27 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine V BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 grams (0.35 pounds) 133 grams (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 life - 250 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $280 $330