Clicky

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Updated by Nikon S9300
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S9100 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is fairly similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The S9100 was unveiled 2 years after the ZS3 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the S9100 matches up vs the ZS3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Panasonic ZS3

 S9100 ZS3 
AnnouncedJuly 2011May 2009Newer by 27 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon S9100

 ZS3 S9100 

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Panasonic ZS3

 S9100 ZS3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you need to consider its weight and size. The Nikon S9100 provides outer dimensions of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the S9100 versus the ZS3.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S9100 and ZS3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions only by reading technical specs. The image below will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S9100 and ZS3.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Nikon S9100 to deliver extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more modern S9100 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9100 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
32
manual focus
has face detect focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
19
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Nikon S9100 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (214 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Nikon S9100 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography advice
36
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery (270 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Nikon S9100 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than competition (214g)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery (270 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9100 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography information
39
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery (270 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
35
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9100 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging factors
34
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (214g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
30
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Panasonic ZS3
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S9100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-07-19 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 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 MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214 grams (0.47 pounds) 229 grams (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 270 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $329 $200