Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony NEX-7

Below is a extended analysis of the Panasonic ZS10 and Sony NEX-7, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the ZS10 (14MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) and the ZS10 (1/2.3") and NEX-7 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS10 was launched 10 months prior to the NEX-7 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS10 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the ZS10 scores versus the NEX-7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 and Sony Alpha NEX-7. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS10 Gallery and Sony NEX-7 Gallery.

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS10 enjoys external dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs) and the Sony NEX-7 has sizing of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS10 and Sony NEX-7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the ZS10 and the NEX-7.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS10 and NEX-7 is 91 and 84 respectively.

Typically, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by going over technical specs. The visual here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS10 and NEX-7.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS10 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Sony NEX-7 will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The older ZS10 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.