• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-ZR1 advantages over Sony DSLR-A290

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    160g vs 508g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony DSLR-A290 advantages over Panasonic DMC-ZR1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5000

Panasonic DMC-ZR1
Nikon D5000
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZR1 vs Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A290
Nikon D5000
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Nikon D5000

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FH20

Panasonic DMC-ZR1
Panasonic DMC-FH20
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZR1 vs Panasonic DMC-FH20

Sony DSLR-A290
Panasonic DMC-FH20
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Panasonic DMC-FH20

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZR3

Panasonic DMC-ZR1
Panasonic DMC-ZR3
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZR1 vs Panasonic DMC-ZR3

Sony DSLR-A290
Panasonic DMC-ZR3
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Panasonic DMC-ZR3

Compared to Fujifilm JZ500

Panasonic DMC-ZR1
Fujifilm JZ500
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZR1 vs Fujifilm JZ500

Sony DSLR-A290
Fujifilm JZ500
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Fujifilm JZ500

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Panasonic DMC-ZR1
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZR1 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A290
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Sony DSLR-A390

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