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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W830

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
26
Overall
37

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W830 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
  • Launched July 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony W830
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 23mm
  • Launched January 2014
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W830 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony W830, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and W830 (20MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ZR1 was announced 5 years before the W830 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Sony W830 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the ZR1 scores against the W830 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony W830

 ZR1 W830 

Reasons to pick Sony W830 over the Panasonic ZR1

 W830 ZR1 
LaunchedJanuary 2014July 2009More modern by 54 months

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony W830

 ZR1 W830 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W830 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZR1 has got outer measurements 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 W830 has specifications of 93mm x 52mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") having a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony W830 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZR1 versus the W830.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W830 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZR1 and W830 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W830 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W830 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The picture underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR1 and W830.

Clearly, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Sony W830 to provide extra detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged ZR1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W830 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W830 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W830 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
Portrait photography with Sony W830
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
38
good megapixels (20MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Street photography factors
Sony W830 Street photography factors
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography info
Sony W830 Sports photography info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography information
Sony W830 Travel photography information
57
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W830 as a Landscape photography camera
32
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
41
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging features
Sony W830 Vlogging features
28
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony W830 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony W830
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-07-27 2014-01-07
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focus range 3cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.10 m 2.80 m (with ISO auto)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158g (0.35 lbs) 122g (0.27 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 93 x 52 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo, microSD/microSDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $280 $128