Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic SZ3
93 Imaging
35 Features
36 Overall
35


96 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35
Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
- Revealed September 2010
(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

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview
Let's look much closer at the Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the S8100 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The S8100 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the SZ3 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the S8100 grades vs the SZ3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix S8100 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon S8100 Gallery & Panasonic SZ3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Panasonic SZ3
S8100 | SZ3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon S8100
SZ3 | S8100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | September 2010 | Newer by 28 months |
Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic SZ3
S8100 | SZ3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch screen |
Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon S8100 has got exterior dimensions of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ3 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic SZ3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the S8100 compared to the SZ3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S8100 and SZ3 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions simply by going over specifications. The image below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S8100 and SZ3.
To sum up, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic SZ3 to deliver greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged S8100 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S8100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix S8100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2010-09-08 | 2013-01-07 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed C2 | - |
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 area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 30-300mm (10.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.6 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 60s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 4.10 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 180 grams (0.40 lb) | 126 grams (0.28 lb) |
Dimensions | 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 life | 220 pictures | 250 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | Yes (10 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $299 | $150 |