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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Nikon S8100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Launched September 2010
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S8100 (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S8100 was launched 8 months later than the ZR3 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the S8100 scores against the ZR3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Panasonic ZR3

 S8100 ZR3 
AnnouncedSeptember 2010January 2010Fresher by 8 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Nikon S8100

 ZR3 S8100 

Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic ZR3

 S8100 ZR3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon S8100 enjoys outer measurements of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR3 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the S8100 and the ZR3.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S8100 and ZR3 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing simply by looking at specifications. The visual underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S8100 and ZR3.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic ZR3 to give you greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher S8100 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S8100 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography highlights
26
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S8100 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography factors
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S8100 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography features
38
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S8100 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography factors
55
flash built-in
great reach (300mm)
no Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
64
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S8100
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR3
32
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Timelapse function
37
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging info
30
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no external microphone support
29
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S8100 and Panasonic ZR3
 Nikon Coolpix S8100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S8100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-09-08 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-300mm (10.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180 grams (0.40 lbs) 159 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 220 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $299 $280