Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS3
85 Imaging
37 Features
62 Overall
47


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
- 356g - 109 x 76 x 40mm
- Released November 2013
- Older Model is Canon G15
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Announced May 2009
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7

Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
Its time to look closer at the Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the G16 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is pretty close but the G16 (1/1.7") and ZS3 (1/2.3") use different sensor size.

The G16 was revealed 4 years after the ZS3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the G16 grades vs the ZS3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot G16 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The full galleries are available at Canon G16 Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon G16 over the Panasonic ZS3
G16 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | November 2013 | ![]() | May 2009 | More modern by 56 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+462k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon G16
ZS3 | G16 |
---|
Common features in the Canon G16 and Panasonic ZS3
G16 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Canon G16 has got exterior measurements of 109mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") having a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
See the Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the G16 versus the ZS3.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the G16 and ZS3 is 85 and 91 respectively.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the G16 and ZS3.
Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The G16 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Canon G16 will result in more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The younger G16 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot G16 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot G16 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2013-11-25 | 2009-05-14 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 6 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 41.5mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/1.8-2.8 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 922 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT PureColor II G LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 80% | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 12.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/2000 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 356 grams (0.78 lb) | 229 grams (0.50 lb) |
Dimensions | 109 x 76 x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 54 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.0 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.7 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 230 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 photographs | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-10L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $499 | $200 |