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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Announced August 2009
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Photography Glossary

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Canon SX120 IS versus Panasonic ZR3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and ZR3 (14MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and ZR3 (1/2.3") boast different sensor size.

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The SX120 IS was manufactured 5 months before the ZR3 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SX120 IS scores against the ZR3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Panasonic ZR3

 SX120 IS ZR3 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Canon SX120 IS

 ZR3 SX120 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic ZR3

 SX120 IS ZR3 
IntroducedAugust 2009January 2010Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX120 IS features outside dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") along with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR3 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Canon SX120 IS versus Panasonic ZR3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX120 IS against the ZR3.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and ZR3 is 87 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor measurements just by going through a spec sheet. The visual below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX120 IS and ZR3.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SX120 IS because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic ZR3 will provide extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography information
33
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/500s)
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW format
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography information
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (285 grams)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography info
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no phase detect AF
37
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
long reach (360mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (285g)
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
36
manual focus
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW format
no Timelapse recording
37
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX120 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (285g)
29
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic ZR3
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-08-19 2010-01-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285g (0.63 lbs) 159g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 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 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $249 $280