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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Launched July 2020
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and SZ3 (16MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and SZ3 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

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The Z5 was brought out 7 years after the SZ3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the Z5 scores versus the SZ3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Panasonic SZ3

 Z5 SZ3 
ReleasedJuly 2020January 2013More modern by 92 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon Z5

 SZ3 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic SZ3

 Z5 SZ3 
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 comes with outside measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has specifications of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the Z5 versus the SZ3.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and SZ3 is 62 and 96 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through specs. The pic here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the Z5 and SZ3.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The Z5 featuring a bigger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Nikon Z5 will provide you with extra detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer Z5 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
85
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
30
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography info
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competitors (675g)
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography info
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
great battery pack (470 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames/s)
41
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography information
68
great battery pack (470 shots)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
good resolution (24MP)
heavier than competitors (675 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
lighter than competition (126g)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z5
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
86
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
great battery pack (470 per charge)
has dual storage slots
39
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging highlights
34
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (675 grams)
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic port
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Panasonic SZ3
 Nikon Z5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Z5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2020-07-20 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 6016 x 4016 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest boosted ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 273 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Number of lenses 15 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 4.5 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.10 m
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 gr (1.49 pounds) 126 gr (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 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 470 shots 250 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Two One
Retail cost $1,399 $150