Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3
92 Imaging
34 Features
42 Overall
37


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot S90 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The full galleries are available at Canon S90 Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Panasonic ZS3
S90 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 11 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot S90 | Panasonic 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 |