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Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Casio Exilim EX-Z280 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Casio EX-Z280
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 97 x 53 x 20mm
  • Released August 2009
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Photography Glossary

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Casio EX-Z280 and Panasonic ZS3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Casio and Panasonic. The image resolution of the EX-Z280 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The EX-Z280 was revealed 4 months later than the ZS3 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the EX-Z280 scores versus the ZS3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Casio EX-Z280 over the Panasonic ZS3

 EX-Z280 ZS3 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Casio EX-Z280

 ZS3 EX-Z280 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k115kCrisper screen (+345k dot)

Common features in the Casio EX-Z280 and Panasonic ZS3

 EX-Z280 ZS3 
LaunchedAugust 2009May 2009Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Casio EX-Z280 enjoys physical dimensions of 97mm x 53mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check out the Casio EX-Z280 and Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the EX-Z280 vs the ZS3.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the EX-Z280 and ZS3 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing only by reading specs. The graphic here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the EX-Z280 and ZS3.

All in all, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Casio EX-Z280 to offer more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography highlights
27
focusing manually
no manual control
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography details
55
lighter than others in class (133 grams)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
17
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
62
lighter than others in class (133g)
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
62
lighter than competition in class (229g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Casio EX-Z280
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
32
focusing manually
decently wide (26mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging advice
28
decently wide (26mm)
lighter than others in class (133g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic socket
29
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
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Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Casio EX-Z280 and Panasonic ZS3
 Casio Exilim EX-Z280Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Casio Panasonic
Model type Casio Exilim EX-Z280 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-08-31 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-104mm (4.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 115k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.20 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 133 gr (0.29 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 53 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") 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 ID 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $180 $200