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Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic FH3 and Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are sold by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FH3 was manufactured 24 months earlier than the SZ1 making them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a short overview of how the FH3 grades versus the SZ1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Panasonic SZ1

 FH3 SZ1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic FH3

 SZ1 FH3 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2010Fresher by 24 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Panasonic SZ1

 FH3 SZ1 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH3 offers outside dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FH3 and Panasonic SZ1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the FH3 vs the SZ1.

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH3 and SZ1 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing only by going through a spec sheet. The photograph below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FH3 and SZ1.

As you can see, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Panasonic SZ1 to produce more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older FH3 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
28
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography features
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography advice
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography factors
64
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competition (131g)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FH3
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
37
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
43
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
29
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
32
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (131 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
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Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-01-06 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165 gr (0.36 lbs) 131 gr (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" 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 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $160 $179