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Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950 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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950 Overview

Here is a extensive assessment of the Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS1 (10MP) and the S950 (10MP) is pretty similar but the ZS1 (1/2.5") and S950 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizes.

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The ZS1 was released 3 months later than the S950 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief summation of how the ZS1 scores against the S950 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Sony S950

 ZS1 S950 

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Panasonic ZS1

 S950 ZS1 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Sony S950

 ZS1 S950 
ReleasedMay 2009February 2009Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS1 provides exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony S950 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS1 and the S950.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS1 and S950 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing just by reviewing specifications. The visual below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS1 and S950.

To sum up, both the cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The ZS1 offers the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field more difficult.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography features
Sony S950 Portrait photography features
25
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW support
26
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Street photography camera
Sony S950 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography features
Sony S950 Sports photography features
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
no phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography features
Sony S950 Travel photography features
63
lighter than others in class (229g)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
missing Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography information
Sony S950 Landscape photography information
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
31
has manual focus
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging highlights
Sony S950 Vlogging highlights
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
9
can't record video
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Sony S950
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-05-14 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 229g (0.50 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $0 $130