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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(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
Panasonic SZ3
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic SZ3

 FS12 SZ3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic FS12

 SZ3 FS12 
IntroducedJanuary 2013April 2009Newer by 45 months

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic SZ3

 FS12 SZ3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

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

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography highlights
20
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
30
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography factors
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition (126 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
38
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic SZ3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Panasonic 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