Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3
93 Imaging
35 Features
36 Overall
35


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix S8100 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon S8100 Gallery & Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Panasonic ZS3
S8100 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | September 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 17 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S8100 | Panasonic 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 |