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Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
52
Imaging
43
Features
70
Overall
53
Nikon Coolpix P950 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Nikon P950
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-2000mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 1005g - 140 x 110 x 150mm
  • Released January 2020
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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Below is a detailed review of the Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the P950 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The P950 was introduced 10 years later than the ZS3 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon P950 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the P950 grades vs the ZS3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon P950 over the Panasonic ZS3

 P950 ZS3 
LaunchedJanuary 2020May 2009More recent by 130 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon P950

 ZS3 P950 

Common features in the Nikon P950 and Panasonic ZS3

 P950 ZS3 
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon P950 has got exterior measurements of 140mm x 110mm x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9") with a weight of 1005 grams (2.22 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the P950 versus the ZS3.

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P950 and ZS3 is 52 and 91 respectively.

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements only by going through technical specs. The photograph below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the P950 and ZS3.

As you can tell, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Nikon P950 to show more detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern P950 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P950 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
57
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
19
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon P950 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography advice
53
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (1,005 grams)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P950 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
54
great zoom range (24-2000mm 83.3 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon P950
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
59
has bluetooth
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (2000mm)
heavier than competition (1,005 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than average (229g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon P950
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
55
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
35
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P950 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging features
59
quite wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external mic socket
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (1,005 grams)
30
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
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Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P950 and Panasonic ZS3
 Nikon Coolpix P950Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix P950 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2020-01-07 2009-05-14
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-2000mm (83.3x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 90% -
Features
Min shutter speed 300 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 11.50 m (at Auto ISO) 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB EN-EL20a lithium-ion battery & USB charger USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1005 grams (2.22 lbs) 229 grams (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 140 x 110 x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 290 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $797 $200