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Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
27
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 110 IS
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Photography Glossary

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Canon SD960 IS and Panasonic ZR3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SD960 IS (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD960 IS was brought out 11 months prior to the ZR3 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SD960 IS matches up vs the ZR3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Panasonic ZR3

 SD960 IS ZR3 
Screen sizing2.8"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.1")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Canon SD960 IS

 ZR3 SD960 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2010February 2009More modern by 11 months

Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Panasonic ZR3

 SD960 IS ZR3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SD960 IS features exterior measurements of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD960 IS and Panasonic ZR3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SD960 IS compared to the ZR3.

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD960 IS and ZR3 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading through technical specs. The image here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD960 IS and ZR3.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZR3 to resolve greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged SD960 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography factors
26
supports face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography highlights
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
36
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Travel photography camera
58
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography features
36
fairly wide (28mm)
nice screen size (2.8")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
37
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging factors
30
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
29
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD960 IS and Panasonic ZR3
 Canon PowerShot SD960 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also called as Digital IXUS 110 IS Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-18 2010-01-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.8 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 145 grams (0.32 lb) 159 grams (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 54 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID NB-4L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing - $280