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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and XG-1 (16MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and XG-1 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS1 was revealed 6 years prior to the XG-1 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the ZS1 grades against the XG-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax XG-1

 ZS1 XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Panasonic ZS1

 XG-1 ZS1 
IntroducedJuly 2014May 2009More modern by 62 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax XG-1

 ZS1 XG-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS1 enjoys exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax XG-1 has sizing of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS1 against the XG-1.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS1 and XG-1 is 91 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by going through specifications. The pic underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS1 and XG-1.

To sum up, each of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZS1 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax XG-1 will produce extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged ZS1 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography factors
25
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
40
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Street photography information
Pentax XG-1 Street photography information
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (567g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography features
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography features
24
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect AF
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography info
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography info
63
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
52
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery (240 shots)
more heavy than competition in class (567g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
45
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery (240 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic port
25
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (567 grams)
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax XG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax XG-1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax XG-1
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-05-14 2014-07-15
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 229g (0.50 pounds) 567g (1.25 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
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 life - 240 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $0 $599