Panasonic F5 vs Panasonic S3
96 Imaging
38 Features
23 Overall
32


96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Panasonic F5 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
- 121g - 97 x 58 x 22mm
- Announced January 2013
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- 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

Panasonic F5 vs Panasonic S3 Overview
In this article, we will be matching up the Panasonic F5 vs Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are produced by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the F5 (14MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The F5 was introduced 2 years later than the S3 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the F5 grades versus the S3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic F5 vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-F5 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic F5 Gallery & Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic F5 over the Panasonic S3
F5 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | Fresher by 25 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic F5
S3 | F5 |
---|
Common features in the Panasonic F5 and Panasonic S3
F5 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Panasonic F5 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic F5 offers exterior dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Check the Panasonic F5 vs Panasonic S3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the F5 compared to the S3.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the F5 and S3 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic F5 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to see the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing specifications. The photograph here will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the F5 and S3.
Plainly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution and you can expect comparable quality of images but you have to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more recent F5 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic F5 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic F5 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-F5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Panasonic |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-F5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2013-01-07 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.2-6.5 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 secs | 8 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.70 m | 3.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 121 grams (0.27 pounds) | 117 grams (0.26 pounds) |
Dimensions | 97 x 58 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 250 photographs | 250 photographs |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $100 | $110 |