Panasonic TS7 vs Sony RX1R II

The Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7 (called Panasonic FT7 in some regions) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in May 2018 and October 2015. Both the TS7 and the RX1R II are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on a 1/2.3-inch (TS7) and a full frame (RX1R II) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 42.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Panasonic TS7		Sony RX1R II
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
28-128mm f/3.3-5.9		35mm f/2.0
20.2 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor		42.2 MP, Full Frame Sensor
4K/30p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 80-3,200 (80 - 6,400)		ISO 100-25,600 (50 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (1170k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.0 LCD, 1229k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Tilting screen (not touch-sensitive)
10 shutter flaps per second		5 shutter flaps per second
Waterproof body (nom)		not weather sealed
300 shots per battery charge		220 shots per battery charge
117 x 76 x 37 mm, 319 g		113 x 65 x 72 mm, 507 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Panasonic TS7 and the Sony RX1R II is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The TS7 can be obtained in three different colors (black, blue, orange), while the RX1R II is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony RX1R II is notably smaller (17 percent) than the Panasonic TS7. However, the RX1R II is substantially heavier (59 percent) than the TS7. It is worth mentioning in this context that the TS7 is splash and dust resistant, while the RX1R II does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing. More than that, the TS7 is water-proof up to 31m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.

Concerning battery life, the TS7 gets 300 shots out of its DMW-BCM13 battery, while the RX1R II can take 220 images on a single charge of its NP-BX1 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Panasonic TS7	117 mm	76 mm	37 mm	319 g	300	Y	May 2018	449
2.		Sony RX1R II	113 mm	65 mm	72 mm	507 g	220	n	Oct 2015	3,299
3.		Canon SX740	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	299 g	265	n	Jul 2018	399
4.		Canon SX730	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	300 g	250	n	Apr 2017	399
5.		Canon 5DS	152 mm	116 mm	76 mm	930 g	700	Y	Feb 2015	3,699
6.		Canon 5DS R	152 mm	116 mm	76 mm	930 g	700	Y	Feb 2015	3,699
7.		Fujifilm XF10	113 mm	64 mm	41 mm	279 g	330	n	Jul 2018	499
8.		Leica Q Typ 116	130 mm	80 mm	93 mm	640 g	300	n	Jun 2015	4,249
9.		Nikon W300	112 mm	66 mm	29 mm	231 g	280	Y	May 2017	389
10.		Panasonic ZS80	112 mm	69 mm	42 mm	327 g	380	n	Feb 2019	449
11.		Panasonic ZS70	112 mm	67 mm	41 mm	322 g	380	n	Apr 2017	449
12.		Panasonic FZ80	130 mm	94 mm	119 mm	616 g	330	n	Jan 2017	399
13.		Ricoh WG-6	118 mm	66 mm	33 mm	246 g	340	Y	Feb 2019	399
14.		Sony HX99	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	449
15.		Sony HX95	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	429
16.		Sony RX1R	113 mm	65 mm	70 mm	482 g	270	n	Jun 2013	2,799
17.		Sony RX1	113 mm	65 mm	70 mm	482 g	270	n	Sep 2012	2,799
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The TS7 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 86 percent) than the RX1R II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Panasonic TS7 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Sony RX1R II a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the RX1R II is 2957 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 1.0. The sensor in the TS7 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the RX1R II offers a 3:2 aspect.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors.

With 42.2MP, the RX1R II offers a higher resolution than the TS7 (20.2MP), but the RX1R II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.50μm versus 1.18μm for the TS7) due to its larger sensor. However, the TS7 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 6 months) than the RX1R II, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the RX1R II has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony RX1R II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the RX1R II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 39.8 x 26.5 inches or 101 x 67.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 31.8 x 21.2 inches or 80.8 x 53.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 26.5 x 17.7 inches or 67.3 x 44.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic TS7 are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 80-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-102400.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Panasonic TS7	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
2.		Sony RX1R II	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	1080/60p	25.8	13.9	3204	97
3.		Canon SX740	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
4.		Canon SX730	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
5.		Canon 5DS	Full Frame	50.3	8688	5792	1080/30p	24.7	12.4	2381	87
6.		Canon 5DS R	Full Frame	50.3	8688	5792	1080/30p	24.6	12.4	2308	86
7.		Fujifilm XF10	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	..	..	..	..
8.		Leica Q Typ 116	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.3	12.7	2221	85
9.		Nikon W300	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
10.		Panasonic ZS80	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
11.		Panasonic ZS70	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	19.1	10.6	106	36
12.		Panasonic FZ80	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
13.		Ricoh WG-6	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
14.		Sony HX99	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
15.		Sony HX95	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
16.		Sony RX1R	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	25.0	13.6	2537	91
17.		Sony RX1	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	25.1	14.3	2534	93

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the TS7 provides a higher video resolution than the RX1R II. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the Sony is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the RX1R II offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the TS7 (2360k vs 1170k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Panasonic TS7, the Sony RX1R II, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Panasonic TS7	1170	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/1300s	10.0	Y	Y
2.		Sony RX1R II	2360	n	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
3.		Canon SX740	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/3200s	10.0	Y	Y
4.		Canon SX730	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/3200s	5.9	Y	Y
5.		Canon 5DS	optical	Y	3.2	1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n
6.		Canon 5DS R	optical	Y	3.2	1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n
7.		Fujifilm XF10	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
8.		Leica Q Typ 116	3680	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0	n	Y
9.		Nikon W300	none	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0	Y	Y
10.		Panasonic ZS80	2330	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
11.		Panasonic ZS70	1166	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
12.		Panasonic FZ80	1166	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
13.		Ricoh WG-6	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	1.0	Y	n
14.		Sony HX99	638	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
15.		Sony HX95	638	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
16.		Sony RX1R	optional	n	3.0	1229	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
17.		Sony RX1	optional	n	3.0	1229	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The TS7 has one, while the RX1R II does not. While the built-in flash of the TS7 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the TS7 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The TS7 is equipped with a zoom lens, while the RX1R II comes with a built-in prime. The TS7 has a 28-128mm f/3.3-5.9 optic and the RX1R II offers a 35mm f/2.0 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Panasonic provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the Sony. The RX1R II offers the faster maximum aperture.

The TS7 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the RX1R II uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Panasonic TS7	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
2.		Sony RX1R II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Canon SX740	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon SX730	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
5.		Canon 5DS	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	3.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon 5DS R	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	3.0	-	-	-
7.		Fujifilm XF10	-	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
8.		Leica Q Typ 116	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Nikon W300	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
10.		Panasonic ZS80	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
11.		Panasonic ZS70	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
12.		Panasonic FZ80	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
13.		Ricoh WG-6	-	mono	mono	-	-	micro	3.0	-	-	-
14.		Sony HX99	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
15.		Sony HX95	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
16.		Sony RX1R	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Sony RX1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the RX1R II has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The TS7 does not feature such a mic input.

Both the TS7 and the RX1R II are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The RX1R II replaced the earlier Sony RX1R, while the TS7 followed on from the Panasonic TS6. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Panasonic and Sony websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Panasonic TS7 better than the Sony RX1R II or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 188g or 37 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (300 versus 220) on a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 31m).
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (86 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 6 months of technical progress since the RX1R II launch.

Arguments in favor of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (42.2 vs 20.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 48%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (2360k vs 1170k dots).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.74x vs 0.45x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 1040k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/1300s) to freeze action.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.0 vs f/3.3).
• More compact: Is smaller (113x65mm vs 117x76mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in October 2015).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX1R II is the clear winner of the contest (17 : 13 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic TS7 and the Sony RX1R II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best Prime Lens Compact Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the TS7 or the RX1R II. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Panasonic TS7	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	May 2018	449
2.		Sony RX1R II	5/5	..	82/100	..	4.5/5	Oct 2015	3,299
3.		Canon SX740	..	+	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2018	399
4.		Canon SX730	..	+	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	399
5.		Canon 5DS	..	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	3,699
6.		Canon 5DS R	5/5	+	83/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	3,699
7.		Fujifilm XF10	..	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2018	499
8.		Leica Q Typ 116	5/5	..	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	4,249
9.		Nikon W300	..	+	..	4/5	4/5	May 2017	389
10.		Panasonic ZS80	..	+ +	..	4.5/5	..	Feb 2019	449
11.		Panasonic ZS70	..	+ +	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	449
12.		Panasonic FZ80	..	+ +	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	399
13.		Ricoh WG-6	..	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2019	399
14.		Sony HX99	..	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	449
15.		Sony HX95	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2018	429
16.		Sony RX1R	5/5	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jun 2013	2,799
17.		Sony RX1	5/5	..	79/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	2,799
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Panasonic TS7 vs Sony RX1R II

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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