• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-ZS1S advantages over Sony DSC-HX9V

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.58 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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 DSC-HX9V advantages over Panasonic DMC-ZS1S

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • More telephoto lens reach
    384 mm vs 300 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.15 vs 0.88 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent optical quality; High resolution; High-resolution Panorama mode; Good video quality; Good grip; Fast autofocus.

  • Sluggish user interface and Full HD video mode; Heavy noise suppression; GPS is sometimes slow to sync.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZS3

Panasonic DMC-ZS1S
Panasonic DMC-ZS3
  • $300
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • HDMI out
Sony DSC-HX9V
Panasonic DMC-ZS3
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Canon SX200 IS

Panasonic DMC-ZS1S
Canon SX200 IS
  • $300
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle lens
  • $267
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Sony DSC-HX9V
Canon SX200 IS
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More dots on screen
  • $267
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Panasonic DMC-ZS1S
Panasonic DMC-ZS7
  • $300
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • HDMI out
Sony DSC-HX9V
Panasonic DMC-ZS7
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Sony HX10V

Panasonic DMC-ZS1S
Sony HX10V
  • $300
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer exposure
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • More telephoto lens reach
Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony HX10V
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Sony H90

Panasonic DMC-ZS1S
Sony H90
  • $300
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer exposure
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony H90
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
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