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Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Panasonic S2 versus Panasonic ZS3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the S2 (14MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S2 was manufactured 2 years after the ZS3 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the S2 scores versus the ZS3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Panasonic ZS3

 S2 ZS3 
RevealedJanuary 2012May 2009More modern by 33 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic S2

 ZS3 S2 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZS3

 S2 ZS3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S2 has got external measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic S2 versus Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the S2 compared to the ZS3.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and ZS3 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by looking through specifications. The pic here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S2 and ZS3.

To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic S2 to result in greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher S2 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S2
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
19
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography features
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (112g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S2
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
good battery life (280 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
70
good battery life (280 CIPA)
lighter than average (112g)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than others (229g)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography factors
41
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
good battery life (280 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
35
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging advice
32
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than average (112g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
30
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
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Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-01-09 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 112 gr (0.25 pounds) 229 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 280 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $109 $200