Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony A700

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic ZS1 versus Sony A700, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS1 (10MP) and the A700 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the ZS1 (1/2.5") and A700 (APS-C) provide different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The ZS1 was released 18 months later than the A700 which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a short summation of how the ZS1 scores vs the A700 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A700. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic ZS1 Gallery and Sony A700 Gallery.

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS1 offers external dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony A700 has sizing of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") having a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS1 versus Sony A700 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the ZS1 vs the A700.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS1 and A700 is 91 and 58 respectively.

In many cases, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS1 and A700.

Clearly, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS1 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony A700 will give more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots more aggressively. The fresher ZS1 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.