Clicky

Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix S5300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35

Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Nikon S5300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-208mm (F3.7-6.6) lens
  • 138g - 97 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released January 2014
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S5300 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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

The S5300 was revealed 13 months later than the SZ3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the S5300 matches up versus the SZ3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S5300 over the Panasonic SZ3

 S5300 SZ3 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2013More recent by 13 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon S5300

 SZ3 S5300 

Common features in the Nikon S5300 and Panasonic SZ3

 S5300 SZ3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon S5300 provides outer dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 138 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the S5300 compared to the SZ3.

Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S5300 and SZ3 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S5300 and SZ3.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution so you should expect similar quality of photos although you need to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The younger S5300 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S5300 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography highlights
40
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
30
decent megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Nikon S5300 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography advice
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (138g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

Sports Comparison

Nikon S5300 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography factors
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (180 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Nikon S5300 Travel photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than competition (138 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery life (180 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.7)
71
lighter than competition (126g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S5300 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography info
45
focusing manually
rather wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery life (180 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
38
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5300 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging details
35
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (138g)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
Photography Glossary

Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5300 and Panasonic SZ3
 Nikon Coolpix S5300Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S5300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-01-07 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 99 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-208mm (8.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.7-6.6 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT-LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.10 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 138 grams (0.30 pounds) 126 grams (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 180 shots 250 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $180 $150