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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W730

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
33
Overall
36

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W730 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W730 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony W730, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and W730 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was announced 4 years before the W730 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short view of how the ZR1 scores vs the W730 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony W730

 ZR1 W730 

Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Panasonic ZR1

 W730 ZR1 
LaunchedJanuary 2013July 2009Fresher by 42 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony W730

 ZR1 W730 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZR1 has got outside 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 W730 has measurements of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") along with a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony W730 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the ZR1 versus the W730.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W730 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZR1 and W730 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing technical specs. The photograph below should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR1 and W730.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony W730 to offer you greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older ZR1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W730 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
Portrait photography with Sony W730
20
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZR1
Street photography with Sony W730
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features touch to focus
lighter than average (122g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography features
Sony W730 Sports photography features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography factors
Sony W730 Travel photography factors
57
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than average (122g)
features touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography features
Sony W730 Landscape photography features
32
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse function
38
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging features
Sony W730 Vlogging features
28
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone jack
34
relatively wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than average (122g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony W730
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-07-27 2013-01-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine V -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 25-224mm (9.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158g (0.35 lb) 122g (0.27 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" 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
Battery life - 240 photographs
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 type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $280 $138