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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230 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
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was launched 6 months later than the W230 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the ZR1 matches up vs the W230 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony W230

 ZR1 W230 

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic ZR1

 W230 ZR1 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony W230

 ZR1 W230 
IntroducedJuly 2009February 2009Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZR1 provides outside dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the ZR1 and the W230.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and W230 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR1 and W230.

As you have seen, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of images though you should factor the launch date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography factors
Sony W230 Portrait photography factors
21
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZR1
Street photography with Sony W230
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W230 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography information
Sony W230 Travel photography information
57
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography advice
Sony W230 Landscape photography advice
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
37
manual focus
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging factors
Sony W230 Vlogging factors
28
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone port
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony W230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-07-27 2009-02-17
Body design 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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.10 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 grams (0.35 lb) 156 grams (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $280 $180