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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Released October 2019
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and S3 (14MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and S3 (1/2.3") boast different sensor dimensions.

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The Z50 was unveiled 8 years after the S3 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the Z50 scores versus the S3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Panasonic S3

 Z50 S3 
IntroducedOctober 2019January 2011More modern by 107 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Nikon Z50

 S3 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic S3

 Z50 S3 

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon Z50 has got physical measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") having a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Panasonic S3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the Z50 against the S3.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and S3 is 74 and 96 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by going through specs. The picture underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the Z50 and S3.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The Z50 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh simpler and the Nikon Z50 will provide greater detail having an extra 7MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more modern Z50 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z50
Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
80
manual focus
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography factors
Panasonic S3 Street photography factors
73
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus by touch
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (397g)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Sports photography camera
75
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography information
Panasonic S3 Travel photography information
77
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
includes focus by touch
decent megapixels (21MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
heavier than average in class (397 grams)
68
lighter than average (117g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography features
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography features
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
38
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging advice
Panasonic S3 Vlogging advice
71
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic port
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (397 grams)
31
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Panasonic S3
 Nikon Z50Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Z50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2019-10-10 2011-01-05
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 Venus Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 209 11
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Available lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.30 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397g (0.88 lb) 117g (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 320 shots 250 shots
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $857 $110