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Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
43
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Nikon S9300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 215g - 109 x 62 x 31mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Earlier Model is Nikon S9100
  • Successor is Nikon S9500
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
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Nikon S9300 versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the S9300 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S9300 was brought out 3 years after the ZS3 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a brief overview of how the S9300 grades against the ZS3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9300 over the Panasonic ZS3

 S9300 ZS3 
AnnouncedJuly 2012May 2009Newer by 39 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Nikon S9300

 ZS3 S9300 

Common features in the Nikon S9300 and Panasonic ZS3

 S9300 ZS3 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon S9300 has got 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) and 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).

Look at the Nikon S9300 versus Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the S9300 versus the ZS3.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the S9300 and ZS3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specifications. The image underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S9300 and ZS3.

To sum up, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Nikon S9300 to give greater detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more recent S9300 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9300 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
19
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9300 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography features
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (215g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9300 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9300 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
66
lighter than competition (215 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
62
lighter than average (229 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9300
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
41
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
35
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9300 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging advice
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (215g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing mic jack
29
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
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Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9300 and Panasonic ZS3
 Nikon Coolpix S9300Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-07-16 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.9 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 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 format MPEG-4, 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 215 gr (0.47 lbs) 229 gr (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 62 x 31mm (4.3" 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 200 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $249 $200