Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3
96 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix S640 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The complete galleries are available at Nikon S640 Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Panasonic ZS3
S640 | ZS3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon S640
ZS3 | S640 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon S640 and Panasonic ZS3
S640 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2009 | ![]() | May 2009 | Similar generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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).
See the Nikon S640 and Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S640 | Panasonic 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 |