Clicky

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Canon SX540 HS
(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
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
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Photography Glossary

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").

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

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.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Panasonic ZS3

 SX540 HS ZS3 
IntroducedJanuary 2016May 2009Fresher by 81 months
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display resolution461k460kCrisper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

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

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography features
47
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
48
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography details
44
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
max fps very slow (5.9 frames per second)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (205 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX540 HS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
56
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery (205 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
63
lighter than average in class (229g)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography details
48
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery (205 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
35
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging information
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic jack
30
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Panasonic ZS3
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSPanasonic 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