Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony A77
91 Imaging
35 Features
33 Overall
34


59 Imaging
63 Features
83 Overall
71
Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony A77 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Released July 2011
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ10
- Successor is Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 50 - 16000 (Boost to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
- Announced October 2011
- Succeeded the Sony A700
- Later Model is Sony A77 II

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony A77 Overview
In this article, we are comparing the Panasonic ZS7 and Sony A77, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the ZS7 (12MP) and A77 (24MP) and the ZS7 (1/2.3") and A77 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

The ZS7 was launched 3 months before the A77 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera and the Sony A77 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving through a full comparison, below is a short summation of how the ZS7 grades vs the A77 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony A77 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 & Sony SLT-A77. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic ZS7 Gallery & Sony A77 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Sony A77
ZS7 | A77 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Panasonic ZS7
A77 | ZS7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+461k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS7 and Sony A77
ZS7 | A77 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2011 | ![]() | October 2011 | Same age |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry your camera, you should consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS7 enjoys exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Sony A77 has specifications of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") having a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic ZS7 and Sony A77 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS7 vs the A77.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS7 and A77 is 91 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to see the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through specs. The visual underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS7 and A77.
All in all, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS7 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony A77 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony A77 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 | Sony SLT-A77 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 | Sony SLT-A77 |
Also called | Lumix DMC-TZ10 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2011-07-19 | 2011-10-25 |
Body design | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine HD II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 16000 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 50 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 19 |
Cross type focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames per sec | 12.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.30 m | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | AVCHD Lite | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 218g (0.48 lbs) | 732g (1.61 lbs) |
Dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 24.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.2 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 801 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 470 photographs |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at release | $350 | $900 |