Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3
90 Imaging
39 Features
33 Overall
36


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-350mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 240g - 108 x 69 x 34mm
- Introduced August 2012
(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
- Launched May 2009
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the L610 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The L610 was manufactured 3 years later than the ZS3 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the L610 grades versus the ZS3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix L610 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon L610 Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L610 over the Panasonic ZS3
L610 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2012 | ![]() | May 2009 | More recent by 40 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon L610
ZS3 | L610 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon L610 and Panasonic ZS3
L610 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither features Touch display |
Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon L610 enjoys outside measurements of 108mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the L610 and the ZS3.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the L610 and ZS3 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its tough to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading technical specs. The graphic here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the L610 and ZS3.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon L610 to offer extra detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher L610 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L610 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L610 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2012-08-09 | 2009-05-14 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | 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 | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-350mm (14.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 60s |
Max shutter speed | 1/6000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | - | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 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 | H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 240g (0.53 lb) | 229g (0.50 lb) |
Dimensions | 108 x 69 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 120 images | - |
Battery format | AA | - |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $150 | $200 |