Panasonic ZS1 vs Panasonic ZS5

Let's look closer at the Panasonic ZS1 versus Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the ZS1 (10MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is very similar but the ZS1 (1/2.5") and ZS5 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The ZS1 was released 13 months prior to the ZS5 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the ZS1 grades versus the ZS5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS1 Gallery & Panasonic ZS5 Gallery.

For those who are looking to lug around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS1 features exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS1 versus Panasonic ZS5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the ZS1 and the ZS5.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS1 and ZS5 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by going over specs. The graphic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS1 and ZS5.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZS1 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Panasonic ZS5 will offer you more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The older ZS1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.