Panasonic ZS25 vs. Sony RX100 IV: A Thorough Hands-On Comparison from an Expert’s Perspective

When choosing a compact camera, enthusiasts and pros alike often wrestle with the classic dilemma: zoom range and portability versus top-tier image quality and advanced features. Today, I put two compact shooters head-to-head that represent almost opposite ends of that spectrum - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 (known as the Lumix TZ35 outside the US) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV. Both are pocket-friendly, but they cater to very different needs and priorities. Through years of rigorous testing and experience, I want to guide you through their key differences, performance nuances, and help you decide which might fit your personal style and photographic ambitions.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Small But Mighty?

Physically, the Panasonic ZS25 and Sony RX100 IV are quite similar at first glance, both designed to fit easily in one hand or a pocket. However, subtle differences in size and heft reflect their internal architectures and intended use cases.

• Panasonic ZS25: Measures 105 x 59 x 28 mm and weighs a mere 193 grams. It’s a slim, light unit that makes it ideal for travel and casual street shooting when you want to carry minimal gear.
• Sony RX100 IV: Slightly more muscular at 102 x 58 x 41 mm and 298 grams. That extra depth accommodates a larger 1-inch sensor and more advanced hardware, which adds to better image quality but slightly bigger bulk.

Ergonomically, both cameras have fixed (non-articulating) or tilting screens (ZS25 has fixed, RX100 IV has tilting), distinct control layouts, and lens designs optimized for their sensor sizes.

Handling the RX100 IV feels more like a serious compact, with a control ring around the lens for quick manual focus or aperture changes. The ZS25, by contrast, is streamlined with less tactile controls, leaning more towards point-and-shoot simplicity. If you like clubs for your thumbs (physical buttons and dials for quick changes), the Sony wins here.

Battery life is comparable: about 260 shots for the ZS25 and 280 for the RX100 IV, which is respectable but still worth carrying a spare if you’re shooting a full day.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Between these two cameras lies the most substantial technical gap - sensor size and capability.

• Panasonic ZS25: Sports a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor (approximately 27.7 mm²) with 16 megapixels, typical for small sensor superzooms. This sensor size limits dynamic range and low-light performance but keeps the camera compact and affordable.

• Sony RX100 IV: Packs a much larger 1" BSI-CMOS sensor (116.16 mm²), also with 20 megapixels, but benefitting from backside illumination and superior noise characteristics. This sensor size is several times larger than that of the Panasonic, which translates to far better image quality, especially in low light or high contrast scenes.

In practice, the RX100 IV’s images have richer color depth, finer detail retention, and significantly better control on noise at ISO 800 and above. Panasonic struggles beyond ISO 400 - grain and detail loss become apparent. The RX100 IV also supports RAW shooting, giving post-processing enthusiasts greater creative latitude; the ZS25 only shoots JPEG, limiting those options.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking in the Real World

Autofocus and speed can make or break shootability depending on the genre - wildlife, sports, street, you name it.

Despite having a good burst rate (10 fps), the Panasonic uses contrast-detect AF, which is slower and less reliable for tracking fast subjects or moving targets - it’s best suited for static or slowly moving subjects.

The Sony RX100 IV features a hybrid AF system driven by its advanced Bionz X processor, with fast, accurate face and eye detection. In my experience testing similar models, the RX100 IV tracks action smoothly and allows for higher shutter speeds to freeze motion - critical for sports and wildlife.

Panasonic ZS25 front Panasonic ZS25 screen back Sony RX100 IV front Sony RX100 IV screen back

Real-World Photography: Where Each Camera Shines

Let’s look at the practical performance lens-to-lens across key photography types, keeping in mind their internal hardware and intended users.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand skin tone accuracy, pleasing background blur, and reliable face/eye detection autofocus.

• Panasonic ZS25: Limited by its small sensor and slower lens (max aperture f/3.3-f/6.4), bokeh is limited and background separation is weak, especially at longer zooms. No face or eye detection autofocus hinders sharp focus on eyes. You might find focusing on faces tricky in dimmer light.

• Sony RX100 IV: With a faster f/1.8-2.8 lens and larger sensor, it delivers creamy bokeh and smooth skin tones. Its face and eye detection AF lock accurately, making portraits sharper and more consistent in various lighting conditions.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters prioritize resolution, dynamic range, and durability.

• The RX100 IV’s larger sensor yields better dynamic range (12.6 EV) and greater color depth, vital for capturing shadows and highlights in complex scenes like sunsets or forests.
• The ZS25 produces acceptable images in good light but quickly loses detail in shadows or highlights due to limited sensor capabilities.
• Neither camera offers weather sealing, so pack protection if shooting in adverse weather.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These genres demand fast AF, rapid burst modes, and versatile telephoto reach.

• The ZS25 boasts an impressive 20x optical zoom (24-480mm equivalent), ideal for distant wildlife shots in good light, though the slow aperture at telephoto and weaker AF limits action-stopping potential.
• The RX100 IV has a modest 2.9x zoom (24-70mm), insufficient for distant subjects but compensates with superior AF speed and burst frame rate for closer, fast-moving subjects.

Street and Travel Photography

Portability, discretion, low-light prowess, and battery life matter here.

• The ZS25 shines in travel thanks to compact size, phenomenal zoom flexibility, and reasonable battery life. Its limited low-light performance suggests sticking to daylight or well-lit scenarios.
• The RX100 IV is a favorite among street photographers who appreciate image quality, low-light performance, and faster autofocus. Its tilting screen and pop-up electronic viewfinder aid discreet shooting and composition in cramped spaces.

Display and User Interface: What’s on the Back?

The ZS25 has a fixed 3.0-inch LCD with a basic 460k-dot resolution - serviceable but unremarkable in bright sun or for critical review.

The RX100 IV steps up with a tilting 3.0-inch screen boasting 1.229 million dots and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.35 million dots, which is a boon for precise framing and outdoor visibility. Although neither is touchscreen, the RX100’s ergonomic design gives a smoother control experience, especially when paired with its manual focus control ring.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures Examined

Video is often overlooked in compact camera gig reviews, but let’s be clear - these two cameras produce very different results.

• Panasonic ZS25 shoots Full HD (1920x1080) at 60 fps, using the older AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. It lacks 4K video and advanced codecs, limiting professional video use.
• Sony RX100 IV supports UHD 4K at 30p plus Full HD at 120 fps, offering slow-motion options. XAVC S codec support delivers superior video quality and editing flexibility. Internal stabilization helps smooth handheld video.

Neither has microphone or headphone jacks, slightly frustrating for serious videographers, but the RX100 IV’s advanced video specs clearly outpace the Panasonic.

Macro and Close-Up Performance

Close focusing is an area many overlook. The ZS25 boasts a minimum focus distance of 3 cm, impressive for superzooms, great for macro flower shots or detailed product photography, aided by optical image stabilization.

The RX100 IV focuses down to 5 cm - still adequate but less aggressive than the Panasonic. Thanks to a larger sensor and sharper lens, the RX100’s macro shots have superior clarity and color reproduction.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Longevity

Both cameras feel solid but are not ruggedized. There’s no dustproofing, waterproofing, or shockproofing on either model. For rough outdoor use, invest in protective cases regardless of choice.

Connectivity and Storage: Wired and Wireless Options

• The ZS25 is basic, lacking built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, featuring USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs only. Transferring photos requires a cable or SD card extraction.
• The RX100 IV includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy pairing with smartphones and tablets - a huge convenience for on-the-go sharing or remote control via apps.

Performance Summary and Price-to-Value

The Sony RX100 IV commands a premium price (~$900) against the budget-friendly Panasonic ZS25 (~$300). Does the cost difference translate into tattoo-level value? Let’s break down:

Recommendations By Photography Genre

• Portraits: RX100 IV - Superior image quality, bokeh, and eye AF make it the obvious choice.
• Landscapes: RX100 IV - Larger sensor and better dynamic range capture intricate scenes with finesse.
• Wildlife/Sports: ZS25 for distant reach but RX100 IV for action-stopping speed at short telephoto.
• Street: RX100 IV - Compact, quick AF, and discreet EVF help capture candid moments.
• Macro: ZS25 offers closer focusing and longer zoom for fine detail work.
• Night/Astro: RX100 IV takes this with better ISO performance and exposure options.
• Video: RX100 IV is vastly superior with 4K capture and higher frame rates.
• Travel: ZS25 for zoom versatility and lightweight freedom; RX100 IV for better all-around image quality and features but at a weight and size cost.
• Professional Work: RX100 IV supports RAW, high-quality video, and better controls - better workflow compatibility.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re a budget-conscious casual shooter or dedicated traveler wanting a pocket-ready camera with an extraordinary zoom to cover everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife, the Panasonic ZS25 is your cheapskate’s dream come true. Its straightforward point-and-shoot approach keeps things simple and compact, making it a solid everyday carry.

However, if you demand serious image quality, versatile manual control, and extensive video capabilities in a compact form, the Sony RX100 IV is a small powerhouse worth the investment. It's arguably one of the best all-around large sensor compacts ever made, favored by enthusiasts and professionals seeking a lightweight “second camera” or high-quality street/travel alternative.

Remember, each of these cameras excels by design in specific areas. Your choice boils down to priorities: zoom reach and ease versus image/video excellence and flexibility. I’ve personally tested both in varied environments, and I can reliably say - you won’t regret either, as long as you pick according to your shooting style and budget.

Happy shooting!