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Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3

Portability
81
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX400 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Canon SX400 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 313g - 104 x 69 x 80mm
  • Announced July 2014
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
Photography Glossary

Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX400 IS (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX400 IS was unveiled 3 years after the S3 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SX400 IS scores versus the S3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX400 IS over the Panasonic S3

 SX400 IS S3 
AnnouncedJuly 2014January 2011More modern by 44 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Canon SX400 IS

 S3 SX400 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX400 IS and Panasonic S3

 SX400 IS S3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX400 IS enjoys outside measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX400 IS against the S3.

Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX400 IS and S3 is 81 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by going over specifications. The pic below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX400 IS and S3.

To sum up, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Canon SX400 IS to offer extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The newer SX400 IS provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography factors
36
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
28
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX400 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
52
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Sports photography features
Panasonic S3 Sports photography features
42
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (190 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX400 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic S3
60
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery (190 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
68
lighter than average in class (117g)
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX400 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
41
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery (190 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
38
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX400 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
28
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
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Canon SX400 IS vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX400 IS and Panasonic S3
 Canon PowerShot SX400 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX400 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-07-29 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4+ Venus Engine IV
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 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance 0cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313g (0.69 lb) 117g (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 190 shots 250 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $229 $110