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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump 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 ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic FS12 versus Panasonic ZS3, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was released at a similar time to the ZS3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the FS12 scores against the ZS3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic ZS3

 FS12 ZS3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic FS12

 ZS3 FS12 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic ZS3

 FS12 ZS3 
IntroducedApril 2009May 2009Same generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS12 enjoys outside measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS12 versus Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the FS12 vs the ZS3.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and ZS3 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and ZS3.

As you can see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic FS12 to provide greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images more aggressively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography highlights
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition in class (229g)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
35
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
30
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone support
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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-04-17 2009-05-14
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $228 $200