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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
64
Imaging
32
Features
53
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Revealed March 2009
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
  • Released May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

The following is a extensive analysis of the Canon SX1 IS and Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX1 IS (10MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is very well matched and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was revealed within a month of the ZS3 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the SX1 IS grades vs the ZS3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Panasonic ZS3

 SX1 IS ZS3 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SX1 IS

 ZS3 SX1 IS 
Display dimension3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Panasonic ZS3

 SX1 IS ZS3 
ReleasedMarch 2009May 2009Similar generation
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX1 IS has outer dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") having a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions 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 SX1 IS and Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the SX1 IS against the ZS3.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX1 IS and ZS3 is 64 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions only by checking specs. The picture underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX1 IS and ZS3.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical resolution so you should expect similar quality of photos although you may want to take the production date of the products into consideration.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography features
45
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography information
56
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than others in class (615 grams)
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography info
32
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (4.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
52
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (615 grams)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
lighter than competition (229g)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography features
44
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse mode
35
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging info
57
quite wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of external microphone support
more heavy than others in class (615 grams)
29
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Panasonic ZS3
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-03-27 2009-05-14
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.8 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 615 grams (1.36 lbs) 229 grams (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $600 $200