Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony ZV-1

Here is a complete assessment of the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony ZV-1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and ZV-1 (20MP) and the ZR1 (1/2.3") and ZV-1 (1") boast different sensor sizing.

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The ZR1 was brought out 11 years before the ZV-1 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ZR1 matches up against the ZV-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 & Sony ZV-1. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic ZR1 Gallery & Sony ZV-1 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and volume. 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) and the Sony ZV-1 has sizing of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") and a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony ZV-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the ZR1 and the ZV-1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and ZV-1 is 94 and 88 respectively.

Sometimes, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The photograph here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR1 and ZV-1.

As you have seen, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZR1 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony ZV-1 will render greater detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older ZR1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.