Panasonic TZ202: Close-Up Comparison with Sony RX100 M1 and M4 at Wide Angle

Introduction | Comparison Table | Comparison Photos

On this page, I compare the close-up capabilities at the wide end of our three 1" sensor cameras, the Panasonic TZ202, the Sony RX100 M1, and the Sony RX100 M4. I also provide a few comparative close-up photos.

Introduction

Ricoh's small sensor cameras, including the "old" GRs, are extremely good macro shooters. The Ricoh R and CX series as well as the Ricoh GXR S10 and particularly, P10 camera units demonstrate what is possible (see elsewhere on this site). Having a 1" sensor (size: 13.2 x 8.8 mm), the Panasonic TZ202 as well as the different Sony RX100 models cannot really compete with these small-sensor cameras in this respect. On this page, I briefly present what you can expect from these cameras.

Comparison Table

This is what I found out about our three 1" sensor cameras with respect to their capabilities for close-up photos:

	TZ202			RX100 M1	RX100 M4
Focal Length (mm)	24	28	35	28	24
Min. Distance normal (m)	0.5*	0.5*	0.5*	0.05	0.05
Min. Distance macro (m)	0.03*	0.03*	0.05*	0.05	0.05
Min. Object Size macro (mm)**	55-56	49-50	59-60	80	100
Largest Aperture (... f/8)	3.3	3.5	3.7	1.8	1.8

*) As given by the camera, not measured; **) my own measurements

Comparison Photos

I also compared in practice the close-up capabilities of the of the Panasonic TZ202, the Sony RX100 M1, and the Sony RX100 M4 at the wide end and got the following results:


Sony RX100 M4 at 5 cm (24 mm)		Sony RX100 M1 at 5 cm (28 mm)		Panasonic TZ202 at 3 cm (24 mm)

Overall, the Panasonic TZ202 seems to deliver the largest magnification of our small cameras at the wide end (this was not an exact test...).

Later, I discovered that the Panasonic TZ202 achieves even more magnification at a focal length of 28 mm (see table above). At 35 mm it seems to be a little less than at 24 mm, but the distance to the object increases to 5 cm, which may be welcome. Here, however, the flower looks a little bit larger for 35 mm than for 24 mm...


Sony RX100 M4 at 5 cm (24 mm)	Sony RX100 M1 at 5 cm (28 mm)	Panasonic TZ202 at 3 cm (24 mm)

Panasonic TZ202 at 3 cm (24 mm)	Panasonic TZ202 at 3 cm (28 mm)	Panasonic TZ202 at 5 cm (35 mm)

I also tested a second motif on the same day:


Sony RX100 M4 at 5 cm (24 mm)	Sony RX100 M1 at 5 cm (28 mm)	Panasonic TZ202 at 3 cm (24 mm)

Panasonic TZ202 at 3 cm (24 mm)	Panasonic TZ202 at 3 cm (28 mm)	Panasonic TZ202 at 5 cm (35 mm)

Here again, the magnification seems to be a little higher for 35 mm than for 24 mm, despite the fact that my "exact" ruler tests told a different story...