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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Nikon AW100
(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
Panasonic ZR3
(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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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

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 Glossary

The 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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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic ZR3

 AW100 ZR3 
RevealedAugust 2011January 2010More modern by 20 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and ZR3 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography details
29
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
28
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography advice
54
weather sealing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
33
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
36
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW100
Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
67
weather sealing
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
64
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography information
41
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
resolution is good (16MP)
weather sealing
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
37
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging details
29
fairly wide (28mm)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
29
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Panasonic ZR3
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Panasonic 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