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Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
33
Overall
36
Nikon Coolpix L610 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Nikon L610
(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
Panasonic ZS3
(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
Photography Glossary

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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L610 over the Panasonic ZS3

 L610 ZS3 
LaunchedAugust 2012May 2009More 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution460k460kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

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

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L610 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography highlights
30
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L610 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (240g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L610 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
44
incredible zoom range (25-350mm 14.0 x zoom)
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (120 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L610 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
66
lighter than competition (240g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (350mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery life (120 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
63
lighter than average (229 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L610 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery life (120 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L610 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging advice
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (240 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
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Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L610 and Panasonic ZS3
 Nikon Coolpix L610Panasonic 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