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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W650

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W650 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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W650 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony W650, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and W650 (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was introduced 3 years earlier than the W650 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the ZR1 matches up versus the W650 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony W650

 ZR1 W650 

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Panasonic ZR1

 W650 ZR1 
LaunchedJanuary 2012July 2009More modern by 29 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony W650

 ZR1 W650 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZR1 has outer 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) and the Sony W650 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony W650 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the ZR1 and the W650.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W650 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZR1 and W650 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over specs. The pic here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR1 and W650.

All in all, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony W650 to deliver extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged ZR1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W650 as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
34
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Street photography advice
Sony W650 Street photography advice
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (124 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZR1
Sports photography with Sony W650
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR1
Travel photography with Sony W650
57
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition (124g)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
no Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography advice
Sony W650 Landscape photography advice
32
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
43
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging info
Sony W650 Vlogging info
28
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
33
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competition (124 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone jack
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony W650
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-07-27 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine V BIONZ
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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
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 exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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 gr (0.35 pounds) 124 gr (0.27 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 220 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $280 $140