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Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Casio Exilim EX-Z280 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Casio EX-Z280
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 97 x 53 x 20mm
  • Revealed August 2009
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Photography Glossary

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

The following is a in depth assessment of the Casio EX-Z280 versus Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Casio and Panasonic. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the EX-Z280 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The EX-Z280 was unveiled 4 years prior to the SZ3 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a quick view of how the EX-Z280 matches up vs the SZ3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Casio EX-Z280 over the Panasonic SZ3

 EX-Z280 SZ3 
Focus manually More precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Casio EX-Z280

 SZ3 EX-Z280 
RevealedJanuary 2013August 2009Newer by 40 months
Screen resolution230k115kSharper screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Casio EX-Z280 and Panasonic SZ3

 EX-Z280 SZ3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Casio EX-Z280 has physical dimensions of 97mm x 53mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ3 has specifications of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Casio EX-Z280 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the EX-Z280 versus the SZ3.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the EX-Z280 and SZ3 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching a spec sheet. The pic below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the EX-Z280 and SZ3.

As you can see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ3 to provide you with greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged EX-Z280 will be behind in sensor tech.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography information
27
focusing manually
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
30
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Street photography camera
55
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
17
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
62
lighter than competition in class (133g)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
71
lighter than competition (126 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography advice
32
focusing manually
decently wide (26mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
38
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging factors
28
decently wide (26mm)
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
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Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Casio EX-Z280 and Panasonic SZ3
 Casio Exilim EX-Z280Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Manufacturer Casio Panasonic
Model Casio Exilim EX-Z280 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-08-31 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-104mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 115 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.20 m 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 133 gr (0.29 lbs) 126 gr (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 53 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 - 250 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model NP-80 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Triple) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $180 $150