Canon SX130 IS vs Panasonic ZS3
85 Imaging
35 Features
33 Overall
34


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon SX130 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
- 308g - 113 x 73 x 46mm
- Released August 2010
- Replacement is Canon SX150 IS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Revealed May 2009
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7

Canon SX130 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Canon SX130 IS and Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX130 IS (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively close and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SX130 IS was released 16 months after the ZS3 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SX130 IS grades versus the ZS3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX130 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX130 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX130 IS Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX130 IS over the Panasonic ZS3
SX130 IS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | Newer by 16 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SX130 IS
ZS3 | SX130 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX130 IS and Panasonic ZS3
SX130 IS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX130 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX130 IS has got physical dimensions of 113mm x 73mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") having a weight of 308 grams (0.68 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX130 IS and Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX130 IS compared to the ZS3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX130 IS and ZS3 is 85 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX130 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by viewing a spec sheet. The picture here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX130 IS and ZS3.
Clearly, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Canon SX130 IS to result in more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern SX130 IS will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX130 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX130 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX130 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX130 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also referred to as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2010-08-19 | 2009-05-14 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | - |
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 | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-336mm (12.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.4-5.6 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 60 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2500 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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 | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 308g (0.68 pounds) | 229g (0.50 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 113 x 73 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
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 shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $250 | $200 |