Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ3
92 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38


96 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35
Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced May 2011
- Renewed by Nikon P310
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
- Released January 2013

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview
Below is a detailed overview of the Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the P300 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The P300 was revealed 19 months before the SZ3 making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the P300 scores vs the SZ3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix P300 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon P300 Gallery & Panasonic SZ3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P300 over the Panasonic SZ3
P300 | SZ3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+692k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon P300
SZ3 | P300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | May 2011 | More recent by 19 months |
Common features in the Nikon P300 and Panasonic SZ3
P300 | SZ3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon P300 has external measurements of 103mm x 58mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 189 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the P300 vs the SZ3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the P300 and SZ3 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading specifications. The graphic here might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the P300 and SZ3.
Plainly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ3 to offer more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The older P300 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P300 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix P300 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-05-31 | 2013-01-07 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed C2 | - |
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 | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-100mm (4.2x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/1.8-4.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 922 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT-LCD with anti-reflection coating | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.50 m | 4.10 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 189g (0.42 pounds) | 126g (0.28 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 103 x 58 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 life | 240 pictures | 250 pictures |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 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 |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $500 | $150 |