Clicky

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
Panasonic S3
(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
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are produced by Panasonic. The resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The FX78 was introduced within a month of the S3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the FX78 scores versus the S3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Panasonic S3

 FX78 S3 
Screen sizing3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic FX78

 S3 FX78 

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic S3

 FX78 S3 
IntroducedJanuary 2011January 2011Same generation
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FX78 provides physical measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic S3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the FX78 against the S3.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the FX78 and S3 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The picture below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FX78 and S3.

All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic S3 to produce more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography information
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography information
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Street photography features
Panasonic S3 Street photography features
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Sports photography highlights
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400s)
max fps low (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Travel photography highlights
56
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (200 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
68
lighter than competition (117g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography features
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography features
36
relatively wide (24mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
no manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery life (200 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
38
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging factors
Panasonic S3 Vlogging factors
33
relatively wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
31
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic S3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-01-25 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD 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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.5 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1400 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142 grams (0.31 lbs) 117 grams (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 200 photos 250 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $210 $110