Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3
93 Imaging
35 Features
36 Overall
35


94 Imaging
36 Features
26 Overall
32
Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix S8100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon S8100 Gallery and Panasonic ZR3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Panasonic ZR3
S8100 | ZR3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | September 2010 | ![]() | January 2010 | Fresher by 8 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S8100 | Panasonic 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 |