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Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
96
Imaging
44
Features
29
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix S3600 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Nikon S3600
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.7-6.6) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 58 x 20mm
  • Released January 2014
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Nikon S3600 and Panasonic ZS3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the S3600 (20MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The S3600 was announced 4 years later than the ZS3 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the S3600 matches up vs the ZS3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3600 over the Panasonic ZS3

 S3600 ZS3 
LaunchedJanuary 2014May 2009More recent by 57 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon S3600

 ZS3 S3600 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S3600 and Panasonic ZS3

 S3600 ZS3 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you should think about its weight and size. The Nikon S3600 enjoys external dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S3600 and Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the S3600 compared to the ZS3.

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the S3600 and ZS3 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by going over specs. The visual here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S3600 and ZS3.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Nikon S3600 to offer extra detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer S3600 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3600 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography factors
37
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
19
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S3600 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (125g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3600 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography info
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3600 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography factors
70
lighter than others (125 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
62
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S3600
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
40
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
35
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3600 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
33
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than others (125g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
29
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
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Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3600 and Panasonic ZS3
 Nikon Coolpix S3600Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S3600 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2014-01-07 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 20 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5152 x 3864 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 99 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.7-6.6 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280x720p (30fps) , 1280x720 (25p), 640x480 (30fps ) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format - AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 gr (0.28 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 230 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $200 $200