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Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Older Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • New Model is Panasonic LZ40
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
  • Revealed January 2011
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Following is a complete review of the Panasonic LZ30 versus Panasonic S3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are created by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the LZ30 (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty close and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The LZ30 was manufactured 2 years after the S3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the LZ30 scores against the S3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Panasonic S3

 LZ30 S3 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2011More modern by 25 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic LZ30

 S3 LZ30 

Common features in the Panasonic LZ30 and Panasonic S3

 LZ30 S3 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LZ30 enjoys external measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

See the Panasonic LZ30 versus Panasonic S3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the LZ30 vs the S3.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the LZ30 and S3 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The pic here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the LZ30 and S3.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic LZ30 to provide you with more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer LZ30 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
32
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Street photography information
Panasonic S3 Street photography information
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than others in class (552 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Sports photography camera
47
great zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
good battery power (380 shots)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
35
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
56
good battery power (380 per charge)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (875mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (552 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than competition in class (117g)
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LZ30
Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
45
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good battery power (380 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
38
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging information
Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
22
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (552g)
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ30 and Panasonic S3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-07 2011-01-05
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-875mm (35.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 gr (1.22 lbs) 117 gr (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 380 photographs 250 photographs
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 0r 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $230 $110