Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony RX10 II: A Close Look at Two Different Compact Worlds

When it comes to compact cameras, the gulf between a basic point-and-shoot and a pocket-sized powerhouse can be vast. Today, we pit the Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 - a small sensor compact with a 3D twist from 2011 - against the 2015-era Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II, a large-sensor superzoom praised in its time for bridging portability and professional features. This comparison isn’t just about specs; it’s about how these cameras perform in real-world scenarios across a broad spectrum of photographic genres.

I’ve spent years testing cameras spanning everything from entry-level models to professional workhorses. In this detailed comparison, I’ll share insights derived from hands-on testing, sensor analysis, interface experience, and field use, covering portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, video, and more. Whether you’re a casual traveler, a budding wildlife photographer, or an enthusiast craving versatility, this guide aims to help you navigate these two very different cameras.

Body and Handling: Compact Simplicity Meets Bridge-Class Bulk

Let’s start with the cameras themselves - how they feel in hand, and the ergonomics that dictate day-to-day usability.

The Panasonic 3D1 is diminutive and distinctly lightweight, coming in at just 193 grams with dimensions of 108x58x24 mm. It fits effortlessly into a jacket pocket or small purse, ideal for casual snaps or travel when baggage space is premium. However, its reduced size means fewer physical controls and compromises in handling flexibility.

In contrast, the Sony RX10 II tips the scales at a solid 813 grams, measuring 129x88x102 mm. It resembles a DSLR-style bridge camera with a pronounced grip, easily managed by larger hands and offering a host of buttons, dials, and a customizable top LCD panel. It demands a dedicated camera bag but rewards users with instant access to manual control.

This size difference profoundly affects how each camera fits into your photographic routine. The Panasonic is great for low-key street photography or casual family outings, while the Sony is better suited for photographers who want full hands-on control and don’t mind the extra heft.

The top view comparison clearly shows the Sony’s abundance of external dials versus the Panasonic’s minimalist approach.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

In my experience, sensor size and technology remain the most significant factors for image quality, depth of field control, and low-light capability.

The Panasonic 3D1 features a 1/2.3" CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, with a modest 12-megapixel resolution. This sensor size is typical of many point-and-shoot compacts but offers limited dynamic range and inherently higher noise levels at ISO values above 400-800. Its sensor area is only 28.07 mm², which sets a physical limit on image quality potential.

On the other hand, the Sony RX10 II packs a 1" BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm) delivering 20 megapixels. This more than quadruples the sensor area to 116.16 mm², bringing superior low-light sensitivity, richer color depth, and better detail retention. The BSI (backside illuminated) design also boosts performance in shadows and midtones.

Testing both cameras side-by-side, the Sony continuously outperforms the Panasonic in color fidelity, noise management, and dynamic range. In landscape and portrait scenarios where subtle gradations matter, the RX10 II’s sensor is a clear winner. The Panasonic’s sensor, while serviceable, shows signs of noise and banding beyond ISO 400, and lacks the fine detail crucial for large prints.

Portrait Photography: Bokeh, Skin Tones, and Face Detection

Portrait shooters will appreciate:

• The Panasonic 3D1’s modest 25-100mm equivalent lens with an aperture range of f/3.9-5.7
• Sony RX10 II’s constant f/2.8 aperture zoom covering 24-200mm

The Sony’s fixed f/2.8 aperture provides significantly better control over depth of field, producing smoother bokeh and more subject-background separation. In my tests with natural light portraits, the RX10 II rendered skin tones more naturally and effectively isolated subjects, thanks to the larger sensor size and brighter aperture.

Both cameras support face detection autofocus, but the Panasonic extends it with 23 focus points and contrast detection AF system. However, its autofocus speed can lag in lower light, whereas the Sony RX10 II benefits from refined contrast-detection only AF with 25 points, delivering faster, more reliable face and eye autofocus tracking. Sony’s AF system confidently nailed eyes even in tricky backlit portraits. It lacks animal eye AF, which may limit pet photography.

Landscape Photography: Image Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Durability

When capturing expansive vistas, I look for resolution, sensor latitude for shadows and highlights, and physical ruggedness for field conditions.

While the Panasonic produces 12MP images at 4000x3000, the RX10 II boasts 20MP at 5472x3648 pixels, yielding more flexibility in cropping and large prints.

Dynamic range is a pivotal factor. DxOMark scores rank the RX10 II’s range around 12.6 EV, while the Panasonic hasn’t been officially scored but, given its sensor size and class, it likely falls short. This impacts how much highlight recovery or shadow detail you can preserve.

The Sony's weather-sealed body offers dust and moisture resistance - no small thing for landscape shooters venturing into unpredictable environments. The Panasonic lacks any environmental sealing.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Autofocus, Telephoto Reach, and Burst Rate

Wildlife photographers rely on swift autofocus, long lenses, and rapid burst shooting.

The Panasonic’s 25–100 mm lens (equivalent) translates to a 5.8x crop factor, providing telephoto reach up to roughly 100mm. Notably short for serious wildlife work.

Contrast that with the RX10 II’s 24-200 mm f/2.8 zoom, an 8.3x zoom covering wide-to-telephoto reach with a crop factor of ~2.7, lifting effective focal lengths far beyond the Panasonic.

Burst rates reveal a stark difference: the Panasonic doesn’t list continuous shooting capabilities (effectively zero burst speed), whereas the Sony delivers 14 frames per second - a critical factor when tracking fast-moving subjects.

Sony’s autofocus tracking is superior, with fast AF-C performance and eye detection enabling better focus retention on erratic wildlife or athletes.

Street Photography: Discretion, Low Light Performance, and Portability

Street photographers prize discretion, speed, and adaptability across light conditions.

The Panasonic’s tiny size and touchscreen favor this domain for inconspicuous shooting. However, it lacks a viewfinder entirely, limiting composition options in bright outdoor environments.

The Sony RX10 II, despite its larger size, offers an impressive electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36M-dot resolution and 100% coverage - excellent for composing tightly or in intense light. The tilting LCD adds framing flexibility beyond waist level.

Low-light street shots are easier on the RX10 II due to its higher ISO ceiling (up to 12800 native, 25600 boosted) versus the Panasonic’s max of ISO 6400 but with diminished quality after ISO 400.

Street shooters comfortable carrying a somewhat bulkier unit might gain more from the RX10 II’s superior image quality and operational speed, while casual shooters will cherish the Panasonic’s pocketability.

Macro Photography: Close Focus and Focusing Precision

Macro performance hinges on minimum focus distance, stabilization, and manual focus quality.

The Panasonic’s macro focus starts at 5 cm, while the Sony reaches as close as 3 cm - a tangible difference when photographing tiny subjects.

Optical image stabilization is present on both, but Sony’s hybrid stabilization system is more effective - critical when shooting handheld macro for sharp results.

Moreover, the Sony includes manual focus with focus peaking for precision, whereas the Panasonic lacks manual focus controls, restricting creative focus stacking workflows.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO, Exposure Modes, and Noise Control

Shooting stars or night scenes demands excellent high ISO performance and long exposure capabilities.

The Panasonic is limited to a minimum shutter speed of 1/60 sec and maximum of 1/1300 sec - too narrow for astrophotography. The Sony extends from 30 sec to 1/2000 sec mechanically and up to 1/32000 sec electronically (silent shutter), providing huge flexibility.

ISO sensitivity on the RX10 II enables usable images up to 12800 ISO with moderate noise; the Panasonic’s image quality noticeably deteriorates beyond ISO 400.

Neither camera supports focus stacking or post-focus modes that assist night shooters, but Sony’s robust ISO and shutter control make it a far better nightscapes tool.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Stabilization, and Audio

Video shooters will note the Panasonic offers Full HD 1080p at 60 and 30 fps in AVC and Motion JPEG. It lacks high-res 4K recording, microphone input, or headphone monitoring.

The Sony RX10 II supports 4K UHD recording at 30, 25, and 24 fps, alongside Full HD 1080p up to 60 fps. Importantly, it includes microphone and headphone jacks for audio control and features optical image stabilization essential for smooth handheld footage.

If serious video is on your checklist, the RX10 II considerably outperforms the Panasonic.

Travel and Everyday Versatility: Battery Life and Connectivity

While the Panasonic 3D1’s compact stature favors travel, battery life is limited to just 200 shots per charge. The Sony RX10 II doubles that stamina to 400 shots.

Panasonic offers no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth - data transfer requires cables. Sony has built-in wireless and NFC, facilitating easier sharing or remote control via smartphone apps.

The Panasonic’s fixed lens and limited zoom reduce versatility, whereas Sony’s wide 24-200mm range covers a vast majority of travel scenarios, simplifying kit needs.

Panasonic 3D1 front Panasonic 3D1 screen back Sony RX10 II front Sony RX10 II screen back

Professional Workflow: File Formats and Reliability

Professionals need RAW image support, robust buffer capacities, and stable build quality.

The Panasonic 3D1 shoots JPEG only, hampering post-processing latitude. Sony’s RX10 II supports RAW (ARW) files, critical for professional color grading and exposure corrections.

Sony’s weather-sealed body earns reliability points for outdoor professionals; unfortunately, Panasonic’s model offers no such ruggedness.

Summarizing Performance Scores and Genre Ratings

Let’s look at an overall performance score to contextualize each camera’s strengths and limitations.

The RX10 II scores an impressive 70 DxOMark overall, with a color depth of 23.0 bits and dynamic range of 12.6 EV. The Panasonic, lacking official DxO scores, is expected to lie significantly below due to sensor size and age.

Examining genre-specific scores reinforces Sony’s advantage in demanding disciplines like wildlife, sports, and low-light photography, while the Panasonic’s value lies in straightforward travel snapshots and casual use cases.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Who should buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1?

• Casual photographers seeking an ultra-compact travel camera with simple controls
• Budget-conscious buyers prioritizing size over image quality or advanced features
• Enthusiasts who value touchscreen operation and basic optical stabilization

Who should invest in the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 II?

• Enthusiasts and pros desiring bridge camera versatility with superb image quality
• Wildlife and sports shooters needing fast autofocus, long zoom, and burst shooting
• Video creators requiring 4K, microphone support, and image stabilization
• Landscape and night shooters who benefit from superior dynamic range and low noise

In essence, the Panasonic 3D1 is the little camera that could - a modest compact from a simpler era - while the Sony RX10 II remains a beast in its class, marrying a large sensor to a razor-sharp zoom and professional controls.

Methodology Note: How I Tested

My evaluation process involved controlled lab measurements - using standardized test charts for resolution, dynamic range, and noise - and extensive real-world shooting sessions: portraits in natural window light, landscapes at sunrise and sunset, action tracking of birds in flight, street candid sessions post-sunset, macro of flowers and insects, and astrophotography at a dark sky park.

Battery life was measured over mixed usage, including wireless connection where applicable. Handling was assessed both indoors and outdoors across varied grip styles and shooting postures.

A camera is ultimately a creative tool; its value aligns with your style, subjects, and workflow. I hope this detailed comparison helps you choose a reliable partner for your photographic journey, whether it’s a tiny 3D snapshot companion or a feature-packed bridge marvel.

Happy shooting!