Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic TS3
92 Imaging
39 Features
51 Overall
43


92 Imaging
35 Features
31 Overall
33
Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic TS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
- Introduced January 2013
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
- Launched August 2011
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FT3
- Succeeded the Panasonic TS2
- Newer Model is Panasonic TS4

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic TS3 Overview
Below, we will be matching up the Nikon S6500 versus Panasonic TS3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the S6500 (16MP) and TS3 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The S6500 was manufactured 18 months after the TS3 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the S6500 scores versus the TS3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic TS3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix S6500 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3. The entire galleries are available at Nikon S6500 Gallery & Panasonic TS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Panasonic TS3
S6500 | TS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | August 2011 | More modern by 18 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Nikon S6500
TS3 | S6500 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Panasonic TS3
S6500 | TS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic TS3 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon S6500 has outer measurements of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Panasonic TS3 has measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon S6500 versus Panasonic TS3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the S6500 vs the TS3.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S6500 and TS3 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic TS3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes purely by seeing a spec sheet. The image here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S6500 and TS3.
As you can see, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Nikon S6500 to show greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more recent S6500 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic TS3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S6500 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S6500 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 |
Other name | - | Lumix DMC-FT3 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Introduced | 2013-01-08 | 2011-08-16 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 28-128mm (4.6x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | AMOLED display | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1300 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 5.60 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 250g (0.55 lbs) | 197g (0.43 lbs) |
Dimensions | 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") | 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") |
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 | - | 310 photos |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | SLB-10A | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $170 | $380 |