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Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
68
Imaging
33
Features
42
Overall
36
Nikon Coolpix P100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Nikon P100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-678mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 481g - 114 x 83 x 99mm
  • Revealed July 2010
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
  • Released May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Nikon P100 and Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the P100 (10MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The P100 was brought out 14 months after the ZS3 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon P100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief summation of how the P100 matches up against the ZS3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P100 over the Panasonic ZS3

 P100 ZS3 
ReleasedJuly 2010May 2009More modern by 14 months
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon P100

 ZS3 P100 

Common features in the Nikon P100 and Panasonic ZS3

 P100 ZS3 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon P100 has got external dimensions of 114mm x 83mm x 99mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.9") accompanied by a weight of 481 grams (1.06 lbs) while 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).

Check the Nikon P100 and Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the P100 compared to the ZS3.

Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the P100 and ZS3 is 68 and 91 respectively.

Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out specifications. The picture here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the P100 and ZS3.

Plainly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP and you can expect comparable quality of images however you will need to take the age of the cameras into account. The more recent P100 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon P100
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
27
has manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon P100 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography factors
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition (481 grams)
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P100 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
36
great zoom range (26-678mm 26.1 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P100 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
48
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
long reach (678mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (481g)
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography highlights
40
has manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
35
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P100 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging factors
25
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than competition (481g)
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
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Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P100 and Panasonic ZS3
 Nikon Coolpix P100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix P100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-07-06 2009-05-14
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-678mm (26.1x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 481 grams (1.06 lb) 229 grams (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 83 x 99mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.9") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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-EL5 -
Self timer Yes (2 to 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $400 $200