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Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 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
  • Introduced January 2011
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic S1 and Panasonic ZR3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are designed by Panasonic. The image resolution of the S1 (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S1 was revealed 12 months after the ZR3 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the S1 scores versus the ZR3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Panasonic ZR3

 S1 ZR3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011January 2010More modern by 12 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Panasonic S1

 ZR3 S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Panasonic ZR3

 S1 ZR3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 enjoys exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S1 and Panasonic ZR3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the S1 and the ZR3.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and ZR3 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading through specifications. The picture below will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the S1 and ZR3.

Plainly, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Panasonic ZR3 to resolve greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The newer S1 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
21
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S1
Street photography with Panasonic ZR3
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography factors
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
36
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1
Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
62
lighter than competition (117g)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography info
32
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
37
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging highlights
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
29
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Panasonic ZR3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-01-05 2010-01-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117g (0.26 lb) 159g (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 240 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $269 $280