Clicky

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
53
Imaging
53
Features
81
Overall
64
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ2500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • 24-480mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 915g - 138 x 102 x 135mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ2000
  • Succeeded the Panasonic FZ1000
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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Panasonic FZ2500 and Panasonic ZS3, former being a Large Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the FZ2500 (20MP) and ZS3 (10MP) and the FZ2500 (1") and ZS3 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The FZ2500 was unveiled 7 years later than the ZS3 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ2500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the FZ2500 grades against the ZS3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ2500 over the Panasonic ZS3

 FZ2500 ZS3 
LaunchedSeptember 2016May 2009Fresher by 90 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic FZ2500

 ZS3 FZ2500 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ2500 and Panasonic ZS3

 FZ2500 ZS3 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FZ2500 features external dimensions of 138mm x 102mm x 135mm (5.4" x 4.0" x 5.3") and a weight of 915 grams (2.02 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Panasonic FZ2500 and Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the FZ2500 versus the ZS3.

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FZ2500 and ZS3 is 53 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking technical specs. The visual underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ2500 and ZS3.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FZ2500 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Panasonic FZ2500 will give you extra detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger FZ2500 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography factors
70
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
supports touch to focus
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography advice
69
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
66
supports touch to focus
good resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ2500
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
65
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
35
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging factors
66
relatively wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
great video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic port
slow max aperture (f2.8)
30
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ2500 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ2000 Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Large Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-09-19 2009-05-14
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 2.7 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.20 m (at Auto ISO) 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2060 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 915 gr (2.02 lbs) 229 gr (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 138 x 102 x 135mm (5.4" x 4.0" x 5.3") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 70 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 538 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID DMW-BLC12 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $998 $200