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Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
64
Imaging
37
Features
42
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Introduced September 2010
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX20 IS
  • Later Model is Canon SX40 HS
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
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Canon SX30 IS versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX30 IS (14MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX30 IS was launched 17 months after the ZS3 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX30 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a concise view of how the SX30 IS matches up against the ZS3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Panasonic ZS3

 SX30 IS ZS3 
RevealedSeptember 2010May 2009Newer by 17 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SX30 IS

 ZS3 SX30 IS 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Panasonic ZS3

 SX30 IS ZS3 
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX30 IS comes with outside measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX30 IS versus Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX30 IS and the ZS3.

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX30 IS and ZS3 is 64 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by going over specifications. The picture here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX30 IS and ZS3.

Plainly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Canon SX30 IS to offer more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer SX30 IS should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography advice
42
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX30 IS
Street photography with Panasonic ZS3
49
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than others (601 grams)
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography highlights
43
amazing zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
58
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (840mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than others (601 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
63
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography information
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7")
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
35
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX30 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
50
relatively wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
more heavy than others (601 grams)
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Panasonic ZS3
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-09-14 2009-05-14
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 601 grams (1.32 lb) 229 grams (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 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 NB-7L -
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 One One
Pricing at release $400 $200