Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony RX1
94 Imaging
36 Features
26 Overall
32


79 Imaging
69 Features
57 Overall
64
Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony RX1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 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
- 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
- Released January 2010
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
- 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
- Introduced February 2013

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony RX1 Overview
Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZR3 versus Sony RX1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the ZR3 (14MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the ZR3 (1/2.3") and RX1 (Full frame) offer different sensor measurements.

The ZR3 was unveiled 4 years prior to the RX1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the ZR3 scores against the RX1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony RX1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZR3 Gallery and Sony RX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Sony RX1
ZR3 | RX1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Panasonic ZR3
RX1 | ZR3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2013 | ![]() | January 2010 | More modern by 37 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+999k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony RX1
ZR3 | RX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZR3 features external dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony RX1 has specifications of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic ZR3 versus Sony RX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view size comparison of the ZR3 vs the RX1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZR3 and RX1 is 94 and 79 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing a spec sheet. The picture below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR3 and RX1.
Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ZR3 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh more challenging and the Sony RX1 will provide you with greater detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged ZR3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony RX1 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-ZX3 | - |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
Released | 2010-01-26 | 2013-02-19 |
Body design | Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine HD II | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 35.8 x 23.8mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 852.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 6000 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-200mm (8.0x) | 35mm (1x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/2.0-22.0 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 1,229k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | - | Xtra FineTFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic and Optical (optional) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1300 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.30 m | 6.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/4000 seconds |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | AVCHD Lite | MPEG-4, 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 159 grams (0.35 lb) | 482 grams (1.06 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 93 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 25.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 14.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 2534 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 270 shots |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $280 | $2,798 |