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Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
42
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot S90 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Canon S90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 195g - 100 x 58 x 31mm
  • Introduced April 2010
  • Replacement is Canon S95
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here is a in-depth review of the Canon S90 versus Panasonic ZS3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S90 (10MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is fairly similar but the S90 (1/1.7") and ZS3 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The S90 was unveiled 11 months later than the ZS3 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the S90 grades versus the ZS3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Panasonic ZS3

 S90 ZS3 
LaunchedApril 2010May 2009Fresher by 11 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon S90

 ZS3 S90 

Common features in the Canon S90 and Panasonic ZS3

 S90 ZS3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon S90 offers physical dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") along with a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon S90 versus Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the S90 versus the ZS3.

Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S90 and ZS3 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading technical specs. The visual here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S90 and ZS3.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The S90 contains the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF less difficult. The more recent S90 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S90 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography details
40
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
19
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon S90 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography details
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon S90 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography details
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon S90
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
63
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
63
lighter than others (229 grams)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
no Timelapse function
resolution not great (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon S90
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
52
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse mode
35
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon S90
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing mic support
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone port
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Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S90 and Panasonic ZS3
 Canon PowerShot S90Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot S90 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-04-08 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD 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 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-105mm (3.8x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.50 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 195 gr (0.43 lbs) 229 gr (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 46 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 185 not tested
Other
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $599 $200