Canon SX530 HS vs Panasonic ZS3
69 Imaging
40 Features
48 Overall
43


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon SX530 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
- 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
- Announced January 2015
- Earlier Model is Canon SX520 HS
(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
- Released May 2009
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7

Canon SX530 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
In this article, we are evaluating the Canon SX530 HS vs Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the SX530 HS (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SX530 HS was released 5 years later than the ZS3 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX530 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.
Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SX530 HS matches up versus the ZS3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX530 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX530 HS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX530 HS Gallery & Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX530 HS over the Panasonic ZS3
SX530 HS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2015 | ![]() | May 2009 | More recent by 69 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SX530 HS
ZS3 | SX530 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX530 HS and Panasonic ZS3
SX530 HS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Canon SX530 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX530 HS comes with external measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX530 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the SX530 HS and the ZS3.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX530 HS and ZS3 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX530 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by researching a spec sheet. The visual here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX530 HS and ZS3.
As you can see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX530 HS to render more detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The newer SX530 HS will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX530 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX530 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX530 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX530 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2015-01-06 | 2009-05-14 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 4+ | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | 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 | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-1200mm (50.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.4-6.5 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | 0cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 461k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.6 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.50 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
Mic 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 | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 442g (0.97 pounds) | 229g (0.50 pounds) |
Dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") | 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 life | 210 photos | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $379 | $200 |