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Nikon D3S vs Panasonic LZ40

Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59
Nikon D3S front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41

Nikon D3S vs Panasonic LZ40 Key Specs

Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Announced February 2010
  • Older Model is Nikon D3
  • Successor is Nikon D4
Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic LZ30
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Nikon D3S vs Panasonic LZ40 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon D3S and Panasonic LZ40, former is a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the D3S (12MP) and LZ40 (20MP) and the D3S (Full frame) and LZ40 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The D3S was revealed 4 years before the LZ40 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Nikon D3S being a Large SLR camera and the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summation of how the D3S scores against the LZ40 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Panasonic LZ40

 D3S LZ40 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Nikon D3S

 LZ40 D3S 
IntroducedJanuary 2014February 2010Newer by 47 months

Common features in the Nikon D3S and Panasonic LZ40

 D3S LZ40 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon D3S vs Panasonic LZ40 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3S comes with exterior dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") having a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ40 has dimensions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") having a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs).

See the Nikon D3S and Panasonic LZ40 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the D3S compared to the LZ40.

Nikon D3S vs Panasonic LZ40 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3S and LZ40 is 51 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D3S vs Panasonic LZ40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3S vs Panasonic LZ40 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the D3S and LZ40.

As you can tell, both of those cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The D3S using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic LZ40 will offer greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged D3S is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3S vs Panasonic LZ40 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3S vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3S vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3S
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ40
64
has manual focus
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
40
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3S Street photography advice
Panasonic LZ40 Street photography advice
55
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
45
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than others (524 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3S Sports photography advice
Panasonic LZ40 Sports photography advice
66
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery life (4,200 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
47
incredible zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3S Travel photography details
Panasonic LZ40 Travel photography details
51
great battery life (4,200 per charge)
environment sealing
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (22mm)
very long reach (924mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than others (524g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3S as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
67
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3")
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
great battery life (4,200 per charge)
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
44
rather wide (22mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3S as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Vlogging camera
15
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
27
rather wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
has microphone support
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than others (524 grams)
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Nikon D3S vs Panasonic LZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3S and Panasonic LZ40
 Nikon D3SPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon D3S Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
Type Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-02-16 2014-01-06
Physical type Large SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4256 x 2832 5152 x 3864
Max native ISO 12800 1600
Max boosted ISO 102400 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 51 9
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 22-924mm (42.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.0-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 309 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.80 m
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1240 gr (2.73 lb) 524 gr (1.16 lb)
Physical dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3253 not tested
Other
Battery life 4200 images 320 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL4a -
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 2 1
Launch pricing $5,200 $219