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Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony RX100 II 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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Older Model is Sony RX100
  • Refreshed by Sony RX100 III
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony RX100 II Overview

Here is a detailed analysis of the Panasonic ZS1 versus Sony RX100 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and RX100 II (20MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and RX100 II (1") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The ZS1 was introduced 5 years before the RX100 II and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the ZS1 grades versus the RX100 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Sony RX100 II

 ZS1 RX100 II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Panasonic ZS1

 RX100 II ZS1 
ReleasedJune 2013May 2009Fresher by 50 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kClearer display (+999k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Sony RX100 II

 ZS1 RX100 II 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS1 enjoys 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) while the Sony RX100 II has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS1 versus Sony RX100 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS1 and the RX100 II.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS1 and RX100 II is 91 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The photograph below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS1 and RX100 II.

As you can see, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZS1 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony RX100 II will deliver more detail using its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics much more aggressively. The older ZS1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography information
Sony RX100 II Portrait photography information
25
provides face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
70
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Street photography factors
Sony RX100 II Street photography factors
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
85
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (281g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Sports photography camera
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect AF
67
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
has tracking focus
good battery life (350 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography factors
Sony RX100 II Travel photography factors
63
lighter than others in class (229g)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
missing Timelapse recording
resolution not great (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
80
good battery life (350 shots)
lighter than competition in class (281 grams)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Landscape photography camera
31
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
74
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (350 shots)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 II as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than others in class (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone port
37
rather wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (281 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Sony RX100 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-05-14 2013-06-27
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
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 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 229 gr (0.50 lb) 281 gr (0.62 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 483
Other
Battery life - 350 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $0 $598