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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced August 2010
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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S5100 (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S5100 was launched 7 months after the ZR3 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the S5100 matches up versus the ZR3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Panasonic ZR3

 S5100 ZR3 
RevealedAugust 2010January 2010More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Nikon S5100

 ZR3 S5100 

Common features in the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic ZR3

 S5100 ZR3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon S5100 offers outer dimensions of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the S5100 compared to the ZR3.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S5100 and ZR3 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through specs. The picture underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S5100 and ZR3.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic ZR3 to give you more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer S5100 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S5100 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography features
20
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
28
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S5100 Street photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography features
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (132g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
has tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S5100 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography factors
61
lighter than competitors in class (132 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
64
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S5100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography highlights
32
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
37
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5100 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging details
30
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (132g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
29
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5100 and Panasonic ZR3
 Nikon Coolpix S5100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S5100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-08-17 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 Venus Engine HD II
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
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)
Highest aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132g (0.29 pounds) 159g (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 model EN-EL10 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $200 $280