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Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S630 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35

Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Nikon S630
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-260mm (F3.5-5.3) lens
  • 140g - 97 x 58 x 26mm
  • Announced February 2009
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
  • Launched January 2013
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Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Lets look closer at the Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the S630 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S630 was brought out 4 years before the SZ3 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the S630 grades vs the SZ3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S630 over the Panasonic SZ3

 S630 SZ3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon S630

 SZ3 S630 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2009More recent by 47 months

Common features in the Nikon S630 and Panasonic SZ3

 S630 SZ3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon S630 offers exterior dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the S630 compared to the SZ3.

Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S630 and SZ3 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing specifications. The graphic here might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S630 and SZ3.

Plainly, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic SZ3 to provide more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older S630 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S630 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
20
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
30
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S630 Street photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography highlights
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S630
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ3
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S630 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
56
built-in flash
great zoom (260mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S630 Landscape photography details
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography details
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
38
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S630 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging highlights
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic jack
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
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Nikon S630 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S630 and Panasonic SZ3
 Nikon Coolpix S630Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S630 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-03 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-260mm (7.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.3 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.10 m
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 140 gr (0.31 pounds) 126 gr (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.0") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 - 250 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-L12 -
Self timer Yes (3 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $240 $150