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Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Newer Model is Panasonic FZ200
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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Panasonic FZ100 versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both offered by Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the FZ100 (14MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FZ100 was revealed 15 months after the ZS3 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the FZ100 grades against the ZS3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Panasonic ZS3

 FZ100 ZS3 
LaunchedJuly 2010May 2009More modern by 15 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic FZ100

 ZS3 FZ100 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ100 and Panasonic ZS3

 FZ100 ZS3 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FZ100 features physical dimensions of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FZ100 versus Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the FZ100 and the ZS3.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FZ100 and ZS3 is 67 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by looking through specs. The picture underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ100 and ZS3.

All in all, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic FZ100 to result in more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern FZ100 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ100
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
54
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography factors
58
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (540g)
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ100
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography information
59
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (540 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography highlights
51
manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse mode
35
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging advice
64
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic support
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than average in class (540 grams)
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone port
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ100 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-21 2009-05-14
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 measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 gr (1.19 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $500 $200