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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS3 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 ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Nikon S5100 versus Panasonic ZS3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S5100 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S5100 was brought out 16 months after the ZS3 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the S5100 matches up versus the ZS3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Panasonic ZS3

 S5100 ZS3 
RevealedAugust 2010May 2009More modern by 16 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon S5100

 ZS3 S5100 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic ZS3

 S5100 ZS3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon S5100 has got outer measurements of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S5100 versus Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the S5100 versus the ZS3.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S5100 and ZS3 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to see the difference in sensor sizes simply by looking through a spec sheet. The pic here may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S5100 and ZS3.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Nikon S5100 to provide you with more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher S5100 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S5100 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S5100 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography highlights
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (132 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S5100 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography highlights
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S5100 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography highlights
62
lighter than competitors (132g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
63
lighter than competition (229g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S5100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography highlights
32
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
35
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5100 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging info
31
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (132 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5100 and Panasonic ZS3
 Nikon Coolpix S5100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S5100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-08-17 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
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 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132g (0.29 pounds) 229g (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $200 $200