Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3
93 Imaging
38 Features
28 Overall
34
94 Imaging
36 Features
26 Overall
32
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
- 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
- Released August 2011
- Refreshed by Nikon AW110
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
- Revealed January 2010
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic ZR3, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").
Photography GlossaryThe AW100 was brought out 20 months after the ZR3 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the AW100 matches up vs the ZR3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix AW100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3. The entire galleries are available at Nikon AW100 Gallery and Panasonic ZR3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic ZR3
| AW100 | ZR3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | August 2011 | January 2010 | More modern by 20 months | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Nikon AW100
| ZR3 | AW100 |
|---|
Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic ZR3
| AW100 | ZR3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | No manual focus | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon AW100 provides outer dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic ZR3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the AW100 against the ZR3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and ZR3 is 93 and 94 respectively.
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by checking out specs. The picture here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the AW100 and ZR3.
All in all, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Nikon AW100 to produce more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern AW100 should have an advantage in sensor tech.
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications
| Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Nikon | Panasonic |
| Model type | Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 |
| Also referred to as | - | Lumix DMC-ZX3 |
| Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2011-08-24 | 2010-01-26 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | - | Venus Engine HD II |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
| Minimum native ISO | 125 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Total focus points | - | 11 |
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 25-200mm (8.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.9-4.8 | f/3.3-5.9 |
| Macro focusing range | - | 3cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Display resolution | 460k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Display tech | TFT LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1300 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | - | 5.30 m |
| Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) | 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 data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | 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 | BuiltIn | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 178 grams (0.39 lbs) | 159 grams (0.35 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") | 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") |
| 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 | EN-EL12 | - |
| Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at release | $299 | $280 |