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Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
69
Imaging
51
Features
36
Overall
45
Nikon D3000 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 536g - 126 x 97 x 64mm
  • Announced December 2009
  • Succeeded the Nikon D40
  • Refreshed by Nikon D3100
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Nikon D3000 versus Panasonic ZS5, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the D3000 (10MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is very well matched but the D3000 (APS-C) and ZS5 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The D3000 was announced 6 months earlier than the ZS5 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D3000 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the D3000 grades vs the ZS5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Panasonic ZS5

 D3000 ZS5 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Nikon D3000

 ZS5 D3000 

Common features in the Nikon D3000 and Panasonic ZS5

 D3000 ZS5 
RevealedDecember 2009June 2010Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3000 enjoys exterior measurements of 126mm x 97mm x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 536 grams (1.18 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check the Nikon D3000 versus Panasonic ZS5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the D3000 against the ZS5.

Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D3000 and ZS5 is 69 and 92 respectively.

Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions purely by checking technical specs. The pic here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D3000 and ZS5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The D3000 using its larger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Panasonic ZS5 will resolve more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively.

Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3000 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography factors
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
27
offers face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3000 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography information
58
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3000 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography factors
39
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
not so great battery pack (500 per charge)
31
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3000 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography features
45
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (500 CIPA)
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
63
lighter than competition (214 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
no Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
52
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (500 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
33
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3000 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging information
9
no video
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (214g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
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Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3000 and Panasonic ZS5
 Nikon D3000Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon D3000 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-12-11 2010-06-16
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Nikon F fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 309 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 536 grams (1.18 lb) 214 grams (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 126 x 97 x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 62 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 563 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL9a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $0 $300