Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3
68 Imaging
33 Features
42 Overall
36


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix P100 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon P100 Gallery & Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P100 over the Panasonic ZS3
P100 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | More modern by 14 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | 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 sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Same 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P100 | Panasonic 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 |