Nikon S8000 vs Panasonic S3
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Nikon S8000 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 183g - 103 x 57 x 27mm
- Announced June 2010
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Introduced January 2011

Nikon S8000 vs Panasonic S3 Overview
In this article, we are reviewing the Nikon S8000 and Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S8000 (14MP) and the S3 (14MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The S8000 was brought out 6 months before the S3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the S8000 grades vs the S3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon S8000 vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix S8000 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The entire galleries are available at Nikon S8000 Gallery and Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S8000 over the Panasonic S3
S8000 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Nikon S8000
S3 | S8000 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S8000 and Panasonic S3
S8000 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2010 | ![]() | January 2011 | Same generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Nikon S8000 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon S8000 comes with outer dimensions of 103mm x 57mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.2" x 1.1") having a weight of 183 grams (0.40 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
See the Nikon S8000 and Panasonic S3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the S8000 versus the S3.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the S8000 and S3 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S8000 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching a spec sheet. The pic here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S8000 and S3.
Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of images however you have to factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Nikon S8000 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8000 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S8000 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S8000 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2010-06-16 | 2011-01-05 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed C2 | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 30-300mm (10.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.6 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focusing range | 2cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 8 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 3.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 183 gr (0.40 lb) | 117 gr (0.26 lb) |
Dimensions | 103 x 57 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.2" x 1.1") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
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 |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | Yes (3 sec or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $300 | $110 |