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Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ3 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
  • Announced July 2010
  • Successor is Panasonic FZ200
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 FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Panasonic FZ100 and Panasonic SZ3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Panasonic. The resolution of the FZ100 (14MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FZ100 was unveiled 3 years before the SZ3 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the FZ100 grades versus the SZ3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Panasonic SZ3

 FZ100 SZ3 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic FZ100

 SZ3 FZ100 
IntroducedJanuary 2013July 2010More recent by 30 months

Common features in the Panasonic FZ100 and Panasonic SZ3

 FZ100 SZ3 
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera often, you should take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FZ100 enjoys outer dimensions of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ3 has specifications of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FZ100 and Panasonic SZ3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the FZ100 vs the SZ3.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ100 and SZ3 is 67 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ100 and SZ3.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ3 to deliver greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older FZ100 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography information
54
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
small sensor size (1/2.3")
30
good resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ100
Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
58
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (540g)
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Sports photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography information
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
has tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography info
59
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (540 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than average (126g)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography highlights
51
manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse function
39
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging information
64
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competition in class (540g)
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ100 and Panasonic SZ3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-07-21 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540g (1.19 pounds) 126g (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 form - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $500 $150