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Nikon P300 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix P300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Nikon P300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 189g - 103 x 58 x 32mm
  • Announced May 2011
  • Successor is Nikon P310
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Nikon P300 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Nikon P300 and Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the P300 (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The P300 was announced 5 months after the S3 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the P300 grades vs the S3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P300 over the Panasonic S3

 P300 S3 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Nikon P300

 S3 P300 

Common features in the Nikon P300 and Panasonic S3

 P300 S3 
RevealedMay 2011January 2011Same generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon P300 has outside measurements of 103mm x 58mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 189 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

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Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the P300 versus the S3.

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the P300 and S3 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing specifications. The pic underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the P300 and S3.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic S3 to result in extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P300 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography highlights
27
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
28
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon P300
Street photography with Panasonic S3
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P300 Sports photography info
Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P300 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
63
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition in class (117g)
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P300 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography advice
43
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
37
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon P300
Vlogging with Panasonic S3
36
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
31
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
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Nikon P300 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P300 and Panasonic S3
 Nikon Coolpix P300Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix P300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-05-31 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Venus Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-100mm (4.2x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-4.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT-LCD with anti-reflection coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.50 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
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 (15, 30fps), 1280 x 720p (15, 30, 60 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 189g (0.42 lbs) 117g (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 58 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 240 shots 250 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $500 $110