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Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix S100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Nikon S100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 175g - 99 x 65 x 18mm
  • Revealed August 2011
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Nikon S100 versus Panasonic ZR3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S100 (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S100 was revealed 20 months later than the ZR3 which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the S100 scores against the ZR3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Panasonic ZR3

 S100 ZR3 
ReleasedAugust 2011January 2010Fresher by 20 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen size3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution820k230kSharper screen (+590k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Nikon S100

 ZR3 S100 

Common features in the Nikon S100 and Panasonic ZR3

 S100 ZR3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon S100 comes with physical dimensions of 99mm x 65mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") along with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR3 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S100 versus Panasonic ZR3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the S100 and the ZR3.

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S100 and ZR3 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S100 and ZR3.

Clearly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon S100 to offer more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The newer S100 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S100 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography advice
40
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
features face detection focusing
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
28
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S100 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography highlights
63
image stabilization (Optical)
features touch to focus
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S100 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography highlights
38
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (150 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
37
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S100 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography factors
65
features touch to focus
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
low battery pack (150 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
65
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S100
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR3
45
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (150 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
37
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S100
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
35
fairly wide (28mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic support
29
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic socket
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Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S100 and Panasonic ZR3
 Nikon Coolpix S100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-08-24 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Venus Engine HD II
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 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 820k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology Organic LED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 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 data format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175 grams (0.39 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 65 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 150 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $240 $280