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Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Replacement is Panasonic FZ200
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
  • Released January 2011
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Panasonic FZ100 versus Panasonic S3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are designed by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FZ100 (14MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FZ100 was introduced 5 months prior to the S3 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the FZ100 matches up versus the S3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Panasonic S3

 FZ100 S3 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic FZ100

 S3 FZ100 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ100 and Panasonic S3

 FZ100 S3 
ReleasedJuly 2010January 2011Same generation
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ100 features outer measurements of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FZ100 versus Panasonic S3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the FZ100 vs the S3.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FZ100 and S3 is 67 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions purely by researching technical specs. The picture below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ100 and S3.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of photos but you will want to consider the release date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography factors
54
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW files
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
58
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (540g)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Sports photography factors
Panasonic S3 Sports photography factors
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ100
Travel photography with Panasonic S3
59
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (540g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition (117g)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography details
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography details
51
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse function
38
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging factors
Panasonic S3 Vlogging factors
64
relatively wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic socket
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition in class (540 grams)
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ100 and Panasonic S3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-07-21 2011-01-05
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS 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 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.50 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 gr (1.19 lb) 117 gr (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $500 $110