Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3
95 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26


96 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35
Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
- Announced April 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
- Introduced January 2013

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic FS12 versus Panasonic SZ3, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The FS12 was launched 4 years prior to the SZ3 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.
Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the FS12 matches up vs the SZ3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic FS12 Gallery and Panasonic SZ3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic SZ3
FS12 | SZ3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic FS12
SZ3 | FS12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2013 | ![]() | April 2009 | Newer by 45 months |
Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic SZ3
FS12 | SZ3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equivalent display measurements |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS12 has got outer measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ3 has dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic FS12 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the FS12 vs the SZ3.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and SZ3 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specs. The picture here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the FS12 and SZ3.
All in all, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ3 to give greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged FS12 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Panasonic |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 |
Type | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-04-17 | 2013-01-07 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | 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 | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Highest boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 31-124mm (4.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.30 m | 4.10 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 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) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 129 grams (0.28 pounds) | 126 grams (0.28 pounds) |
Dimensions | 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 | - | 250 photographs |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $228 | $150 |