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Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Revealed December 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic LX3
  • Renewed by Panasonic LX7
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
  • Released May 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Panasonic. The resolution of the LX5 (10MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is very similar but the LX5 (1/1.63") and ZS3 (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizes.

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The LX5 was released 2 years later than the ZS3 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the LX5 grades vs the ZS3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Panasonic ZS3

 LX5 ZS3 
ReleasedDecember 2011May 2009Fresher by 32 months
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic LX5

 ZS3 LX5 

Common features in the Panasonic LX5 and Panasonic ZS3

 LX5 ZS3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LX5 provides external measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the LX5 against the ZS3.

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the LX5 and ZS3 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the LX5 and ZS3.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have the same MP but different sensor sizing. The LX5 provides the larger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF easier. The fresher LX5 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LX5
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
41
has manual focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography features
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/1.63")
heavier than average (271g)
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX5 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
59
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than average (271 grams)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
63
lighter than others (229 grams)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography details
52
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
does not have Time Lapse function
35
quite 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)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging factors
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than average (271g)
30
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
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Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX5 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-12-15 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-90mm (3.8x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-3.3 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 4.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.20 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 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 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite AVCHD Lite
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271 gr (0.60 pounds) 229 gr (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 41 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 132 not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $294 $200