Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR3
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39


94 Imaging
36 Features
26 Overall
32
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Introduced August 2012
- Replacement is Canon SX510 HS
(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
- Announced January 2010
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview
Below is a extended assessment of the Canon SX500 IS versus Panasonic ZR3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is very similar and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX500 IS was manufactured 2 years later than the ZR3 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SX500 IS grades vs the ZR3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX500 IS Gallery and Panasonic ZR3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Panasonic ZR3
SX500 IS | ZR3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2010 | More recent by 32 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Canon SX500 IS
ZR3 | SX500 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic ZR3
SX500 IS | ZR3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison
If you are going to lug around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX500 IS has got physical measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX500 IS versus Panasonic ZR3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SX500 IS against the ZR3.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and ZR3 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by reading specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and ZR3.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon SX500 IS to offer more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The younger SX500 IS will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 |
Also called as | - | Lumix DMC-ZX3 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2012-08-21 | 2010-01-26 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | Venus Engine HD II |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 1 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 25-200mm (8.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 60s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1300s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 5.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/1600s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 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 file format | H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
Microphone 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 341 gr (0.75 lb) | 159 gr (0.35 lb) |
Dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") |
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 | 195 shots | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail price | $299 | $280 |