Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3
69 Imaging
46 Features
44 Overall
45


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
- 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
- Launched January 2016
(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
- Introduced May 2009
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
In this article, we are reviewing the Canon SX540 HS versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the SX540 HS (20MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX540 HS was manufactured 6 years later than the ZS3 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.
Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the SX540 HS grades vs the ZS3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX540 HS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX540 HS Gallery & Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Panasonic ZS3
SX540 HS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2016 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 81 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SX540 HS
ZS3 | SX540 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Panasonic ZS3
SX540 HS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX540 HS provides outer measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
See the Canon SX540 HS versus Panasonic ZS3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SX540 HS vs the ZS3.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX540 HS and ZS3 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The visual here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX540 HS and ZS3.
Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can anticipate the Canon SX540 HS to result in extra detail due to its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics far more aggressively. The newer SX540 HS should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2016-01-05 | 2009-05-14 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | 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 area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-1200mm (50.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.4-6.5 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | 0cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
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 | 5.9 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video 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 | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 442 gr (0.97 lbs) | 229 gr (0.50 lbs) |
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 | 205 photographs | - |
Battery type | 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 | One | One |
Launch cost | $399 | $200 |