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Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix W300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Nikon W300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 231g - 112 x 66 x 29mm
  • Released May 2017
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
  • Revealed January 2013
Photography Glossary

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Nikon W300 and Panasonic SZ3, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the W300 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The W300 was unveiled 4 years later than the SZ3 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the W300 grades versus the SZ3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon W300 over the Panasonic SZ3

 W300 SZ3 
RevealedMay 2017January 2013More recent by 54 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon W300

 SZ3 W300 

Common features in the Nikon W300 and Panasonic SZ3

 W300 SZ3 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon W300 offers external measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has proportions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon W300 and Panasonic SZ3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the W300 versus the SZ3.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the W300 and SZ3 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading through technical specs. The graphic underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the W300 and SZ3.

As you have seen, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact MP and you should expect similar quality of photos although you will need to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The younger W300 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon W300
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
36
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
30
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon W300 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Street photography camera
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (126g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon W300
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ3
49
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon W300
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
73
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competitors (126 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon W300 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography highlights
48
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
38
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon W300
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
33
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone support
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (126 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
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Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon W300 and Panasonic SZ3
 Nikon Coolpix W300Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix W300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2017-05-31 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type - 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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m (at Auto ISO) 4.10 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231 gr (0.51 lbs) 126 gr (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 280 shots 250 shots
Style of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5 and 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Onboard + SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $387 $150