Clicky

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Revealed January 2011
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic S3 versus Panasonic SZ8, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both built by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The S3 was brought out 4 years earlier than the SZ8 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the S3 matches up vs the SZ8 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic SZ8

 S3 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic S3

 SZ8 S3 
ReleasedJanuary 2014January 2011More modern by 36 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic SZ8

 S3 SZ8 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S3 has outer measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic S3 versus Panasonic SZ8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the S3 compared to the SZ8.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and SZ8 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes purely by checking out specs. The picture underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S3 and SZ8.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ8 to provide greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged S3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography factors
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
35
good megapixels (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography info
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
68
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
lighter than competition in class (159g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (200 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
38
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse function
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging information
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
32
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (159g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-01-05 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Venus Engine
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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 5.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 grams (0.26 lbs) 159 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos 200 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $110 $275