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Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
70
Imaging
34
Features
37
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix P90 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Nikon P90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 400g - 114 x 99 x 83mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Older Model is Nikon P80
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 Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the P90 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is very close and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The P90 was released 3 months before the ZS3 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon P90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the P90 grades vs the ZS3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P90 over the Panasonic ZS3

 P90 ZS3 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon P90

 ZS3 P90 
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon P90 and Panasonic ZS3

 P90 ZS3 
ReleasedFebruary 2009May 2009Same age
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon P90 offers external dimensions of 114mm x 99mm x 83mm (4.5" x 3.9" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the P90 against the ZS3.

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the P90 and ZS3 is 70 and 91 respectively.

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements just by researching specs. The photograph below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the P90 and ZS3.

All in all, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon P90 to render extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images much more aggressively.

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P90 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
28
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
19
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon P90 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
55
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P90 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography details
37
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P90 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography information
54
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
very long zoom (624mm)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P90 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography details
42
focusing manually
quite wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
35
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon P90
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
24
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
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Nikon P90 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P90 and Panasonic ZS3
 Nikon Coolpix P90Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix P90 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-02-03 2009-05-14
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 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 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 400 gr (0.88 lbs) 229 gr (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 99 x 83mm (4.5" x 3.9" x 3.3") 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 Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $700 $200