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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony WX5

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony WX5 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
  • Announced July 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony WX5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Released July 2010
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony WX5 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony WX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the WX5 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was launched 11 months earlier than the WX5 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the ZR1 grades versus the WX5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony WX5

 ZR1 WX5 

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Panasonic ZR1

 WX5 ZR1 
ReleasedJuly 2010July 2009More modern by 11 months
Screen size2.8"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.1")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony WX5

 ZR1 WX5 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZR1 enjoys outside 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 WX5 has proportions of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") having a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony WX5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the ZR1 and the WX5.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ZR1 and WX5 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizes merely by researching a spec sheet. The picture below might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR1 and WX5.

Clearly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact MP so you can expect comparable quality of images though you really should factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged ZR1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony WX5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography info
Sony WX5 Portrait photography info
20
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
21
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZR1
Street photography with Sony WX5
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZR1
Sports photography with Sony WX5
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Travel photography camera
57
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse function
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
58
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography features
Sony WX5 Landscape photography features
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
37
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.4)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging information
Sony WX5 Vlogging information
28
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
32
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f2.4)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of mic port
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony WX5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
Also called as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-07-27 2010-07-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine V Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.8"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 5.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 grams (0.35 lbs) 146 grams (0.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" 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 ID - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $280 $250