Clicky

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Here is a extended assessment of the Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both built by Panasonic. The resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The S3 was introduced 12 months before the SZ1 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the S3 grades versus the SZ1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic SZ1

 S3 SZ1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic S3

 SZ1 S3 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2011Fresher by 12 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic SZ1

 S3 SZ1 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S3 provides exterior dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the S3 compared to the SZ1.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and SZ1 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing specifications. The graphic below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and SZ1.

Plainly, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic SZ1 to offer you extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The older S3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography features
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
34
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography highlights
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ1
68
lighter than competition in class (117g)
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
70
lighter than competition (131 grams)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography advice
38
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
43
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging information
31
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
32
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than competition (131 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-05 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV -
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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 gr (0.26 lbs) 131 gr (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 images 250 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $110 $179