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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Nikon S8100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
  • Launched September 2010
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic ZS3, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S8100 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S8100 was brought out 17 months later than the ZS3 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the S8100 grades versus the ZS3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Panasonic ZS3

 S8100 ZS3 
RevealedSeptember 2010May 2009Fresher by 17 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon S8100

 ZS3 S8100 

Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic ZS3

 S8100 ZS3 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon S8100 has got physical dimensions of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic ZS3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the S8100 against the ZS3.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S8100 and ZS3 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The graphic here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the S8100 and ZS3.

As you have seen, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Nikon S8100 to provide you with greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher S8100 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S8100 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography factors
26
features face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S8100 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
38
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S8100 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography advice
55
flash built-in
long reach (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than competition in class (229g)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S8100 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography features
32
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
35
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of external mic jack
30
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S8100 and Panasonic ZS3
 Nikon Coolpix S8100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S8100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-09-08 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
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 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 160 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-300mm (10.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180 grams (0.40 pounds) 229 grams (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 220 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $299 $200