Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3
90 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26
94 Imaging
36 Features
26 Overall
32
Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
- Revealed February 2012
(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
- Revealed January 2010
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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On this page, we will be comparing the Nikon S30 versus Panasonic ZR3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the S30 (10MP) and ZR3 (14MP) and the S30 (1/3") and ZR3 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe S30 was manufactured 2 years later than the ZR3 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the S30 matches up vs the ZR3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix S30 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon S30 Gallery and Panasonic ZR3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Panasonic ZR3
| S30 | ZR3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | February 2012 | January 2010 | Fresher by 25 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Nikon S30
| ZR3 | S30 |
|---|
Common features in the Nikon S30 and Panasonic ZR3
| S30 | ZR3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Lack of manual focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 2.7" | 2.7" | Equal screen size | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Exact same screen resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon S30 has external dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Check out the Nikon S30 versus Panasonic ZR3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the S30 and the ZR3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S30 and ZR3 is 90 and 94 respectively.
Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading specs. The photograph here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S30 and ZR3.
All in all, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S30 featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic ZR3 will offer you extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent S30 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.
Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications
| Nikon Coolpix S30 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
| Model type | Nikon Coolpix S30 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 |
| Alternate name | - | Lumix DMC-ZX3 |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Revealed | 2012-02-01 | 2010-01-26 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | - | Venus Engine HD II |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 4.8 x 3.6mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
| Sensor surface area | 17.3mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10MP | 14MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | - | 11 |
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 29-87mm (3.0x) | 25-200mm (8.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
| Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 3cm |
| Crop factor | 7.5 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 2.7" | 2.7" |
| Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen technology | TFT-LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 60 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/1300 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.5 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | - | 5.30 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 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 | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4 | 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 | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 214 grams (0.47 lbs) | 159 grams (0.35 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") | 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") |
| 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 | 240 pictures | - |
| Type of battery | AA | - |
| Battery ID | 2 x AA | - |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Pricing at launch | $119 | $280 |