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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
90
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Nikon S30
(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
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
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Panasonic ZR3

 S30 ZR3 
RevealedFebruary 2012January 2010Fresher 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen size
Screen resolution230k230kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S30 and ZR3 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography advice
24
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
does not have RAW format
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S30 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography factors
51
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than average (214 grams)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography highlights
28
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
environment sealing
low frames per second (1.5 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S30
Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
52
environment sealing
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (214g)
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
64
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S30 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography advice
25
environment sealing
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
37
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging factors
23
includes face detect autofocus
wide angle not good (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than average (214 grams)
29
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Panasonic ZR3
 Nikon Coolpix S30Panasonic 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