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Nikon P900 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
52
Imaging
40
Features
63
Overall
49
Nikon Coolpix P900 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon P900 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Nikon P900
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-2000mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 899g - 140 x 103 x 137mm
  • Announced March 2015
  • Later Model is Nikon P1000
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Nikon P900 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Nikon P900 versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the P900 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The P900 was announced 5 years after the ZS3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon P900 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a short view of how the P900 matches up versus the ZS3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P900 over the Panasonic ZS3

 P900 ZS3 
IntroducedMarch 2015May 2009More modern by 71 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon P900

 ZS3 P900 

Common features in the Nikon P900 and Panasonic ZS3

 P900 ZS3 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon P900 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon P900 has got exterior dimensions of 140mm x 103mm x 137mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 5.4") and a weight of 899 grams (1.98 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).

Check the Nikon P900 versus Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the P900 and the ZS3.

Nikon P900 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P900 and ZS3 is 52 and 91 respectively.

Nikon P900 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P900 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes merely by looking through a spec sheet. The image here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the P900 and ZS3.

Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon P900 to render greater detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern P900 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon P900 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon P900 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P900 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P900 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography information
44
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon P900 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography advice
45
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (899 grams)
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P900 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography highlights
55
great zoom range (24-2000mm 83.3 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
great battery life (360 per charge)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P900 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography advice
59
great battery life (360 per charge)
has bluetooth
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (2000mm)
heavier than competitors in class (899 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition (229g)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P900 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
51
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
great battery life (360 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
35
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P900 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging factors
53
fairly wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (899 grams)
30
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
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Nikon P900 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P900 and Panasonic ZS3
 Nikon Coolpix P900Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix P900 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2015-03-02 2009-05-14
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 -
Sensor type 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 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-2000mm (83.3x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 921 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 11.50 m (at Auto ISO) 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
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 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p) 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Yes None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 899 gr (1.98 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 140 x 103 x 137mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 5.4") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 360 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL23 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $600 $200