Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS3
93 Imaging
38 Features
39 Overall
38


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-196mm (F3.7-5.6) lens
- 175g - 98 x 58 x 27mm
- Announced February 2011
(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
- Revealed May 2009
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
Here is a extensive comparison of the Nikon S6100 versus Panasonic ZS3, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the S6100 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The S6100 was introduced 22 months later than the ZS3 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the S6100 grades against the ZS3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix S6100 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon S6100 Gallery & Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S6100 over the Panasonic ZS3
S6100 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2011 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 22 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon S6100
ZS3 | S6100 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S6100 and Panasonic ZS3
S6100 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurements |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon S6100 offers physical dimensions of 98mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst 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).
Compare the Nikon S6100 versus Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the S6100 against the ZS3.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S6100 and ZS3 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through technical specs. The graphic here will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the S6100 and ZS3.
As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can anticipate the Nikon S6100 to result in more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more modern S6100 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S6100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S6100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also called as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2011-02-09 | 2009-05-14 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-196mm (7.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.7-5.6 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT touchscreen LCD with Anti-reflection coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 60s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.50 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 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 | MPEG-4, Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 175 grams (0.39 lb) | 229 grams (0.50 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 58 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 210 images | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $195 | $200 |