Clicky

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Announced June 2013
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Nikon S31 and Panasonic ZR3, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the S31 (10MP) and ZR3 (14MP) and the S31 (1/2.9") and ZR3 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The S31 was unveiled 3 years later than the ZR3 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the S31 matches up against the ZR3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Panasonic ZR3

 S31 ZR3 
ReleasedJune 2013January 2010Fresher by 42 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Nikon S31

 ZR3 S31 

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Panasonic ZR3

 S31 ZR3 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon S31 provides physical dimensions of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S31 and Panasonic ZR3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the S31 vs the ZR3.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the S31 and ZR3 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specifications. The graphic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S31 and ZR3.

To sum up, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S31 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Panasonic ZR3 will offer you extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The fresher S31 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Portrait photography camera
20
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.9")
does not have RAW format
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Nikon S31 Street photography info
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography info
52
weather sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.9")
does not have RAW format
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Nikon S31 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography highlights
25
weather sealing
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.9")
does not have phase detect AF
37
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Nikon S31 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography advice
59
weather sealing
flash built-in
great maximum aperture (f)
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
65
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S31 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography details
30
great maximum aperture (f)
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.9")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
37
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging factors
24
great maximum aperture (f)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
29
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
Photography Glossary

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Panasonic ZR3
 Nikon Coolpix S31Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S31 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-06-21 2010-01-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.9" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 4.96 x 3.72mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 18.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 7.3 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.30 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 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 file format - AVCHD Lite
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 grams (0.41 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 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 260 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $90 $280