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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Nikon S640
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 130g - 91 x 55 x 21mm
  • Launched August 2009
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
  • Released May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Nikon S640 and Panasonic ZS3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S640 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S640 was launched 3 months later than the ZS3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a simple view of how the S640 scores versus the ZS3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Panasonic ZS3

 S640 ZS3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon S640

 ZS3 S640 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S640 and Panasonic ZS3

 S640 ZS3 
ReleasedAugust 2009May 2009Similar generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S640 offers outside measurements of 91mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

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Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the S640 and the ZS3.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S640 and ZS3 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor sizing purely by looking at technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S640 and ZS3.

As you can tell, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon S640 to give extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S640 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
20
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
19
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S640 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography highlights
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (130 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S640
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
33
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S640 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography advice
62
lighter than competition (130 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
63
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S640 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography advice
32
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
35
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S640
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (130g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
30
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S640 and Panasonic ZS3
 Nikon Coolpix S640Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S640 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-08-04 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 130 gr (0.29 lbs) 229 gr (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $225 $200