Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS3
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
- 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
- Released March 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX270 HS
(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
- Introduced May 2009
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
Lets take a more detailed look at the Canon SX280 HS versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX280 HS was announced 3 years after the ZS3 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SX280 HS grades versus the ZS3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX280 HS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX280 HS Gallery & Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Panasonic ZS3
SX280 HS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | March 2013 | ![]() | May 2009 | More modern by 47 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SX280 HS
ZS3 | SX280 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic ZS3
SX280 HS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX280 HS has outside measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX280 HS versus Panasonic ZS3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SX280 HS against the ZS3.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX280 HS and ZS3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by checking specifications. The pic underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX280 HS and ZS3.
To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Canon SX280 HS to give you greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger SX280 HS is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2013-03-21 | 2009-05-14 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 6 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-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 | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 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 | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 233 grams (0.51 lb) | 229 grams (0.50 lb) |
Dimensions | 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | ||
Battery life | 210 photographs | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $325 | $200 |