Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


94 Imaging
36 Features
26 Overall
32
Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX120 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZR3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Panasonic ZR3
SX120 IS | ZR3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2009 | ![]() | January 2010 | Same age |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Panasonic 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 |