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Nikon S100 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix S100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Nikon S100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 175g - 99 x 65 x 18mm
  • Released August 2011
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Nikon S100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Nikon S100 versus Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S100 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S100 was announced 16 months prior to the SZ3 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the S100 grades versus the SZ3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Panasonic SZ3

 S100 SZ3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution820k230kCrisper screen (+590k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon S100

 SZ3 S100 
LaunchedJanuary 2013August 2011Newer by 16 months

Common features in the Nikon S100 and Panasonic SZ3

 S100 SZ3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon S100 enjoys exterior measurements of 99mm x 65mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") and a weight of 175 grams (0.39 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).

See the Nikon S100 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the S100 versus the SZ3.

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the S100 and SZ3 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The pic here might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S100 and SZ3.

As you can see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures but you really should consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged S100 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S100 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography information
40
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
30
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S100 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography features
63
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (126g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S100 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
38
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (150 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S100 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography highlights
65
includes focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (150 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
71
lighter than competitors (126 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S100
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
45
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery life (150 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
38
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S100 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
35
relatively wide (28mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (126g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Nikon S100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S100 and Panasonic SZ3
 Nikon Coolpix S100Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-08-24 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 820 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech Organic LED monitor TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, 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 175 gr (0.39 lbs) 126 gr (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 65 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 life 150 pictures 250 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $240 $150