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Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Nikon Coolpix S9300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Nikon S9300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 215g - 109 x 62 x 31mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Old Model is Nikon S9100
  • Newer Model is Nikon S9500
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
Photography Glossary

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Nikon S9300 versus Panasonic SZ3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S9300 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is very comparable and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S9300 was manufactured 5 months before the SZ3 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the S9300 matches up vs the SZ3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9300 over the Panasonic SZ3

 S9300 SZ3 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon S9300

 SZ3 S9300 

Common features in the Nikon S9300 and Panasonic SZ3

 S9300 SZ3 
AnnouncedJuly 2012January 2013Same generation
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon S9300 has external measurements of 109mm x 62mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S9300 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the S9300 versus the SZ3.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S9300 and SZ3 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing simply by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S9300 and SZ3.

As you have seen, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP so you should expect comparable quality of pictures however you should really consider the release date of the cameras into account.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9300 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography information
35
resolution is good (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
30
MP count good (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9300 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography advice
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (215g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9300 Sports photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography info
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
41
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S9300
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
66
lighter than competition (215 grams)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery power (200 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than others in class (126g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9300 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography advice
41
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery power (200 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
39
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9300 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging details
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (215 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
missing microphone socket
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
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Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9300 and Panasonic SZ3
 Nikon Coolpix S9300Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S9300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-07-16 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 4cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 6.9 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 215 grams (0.47 lb) 126 grams (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 62 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 200 images 250 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $249 $150