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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic XS1 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 XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

The following is a extensive review of the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic XS1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both designed by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the XS1 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S3 was revealed 24 months before the XS1 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the S3 grades against the XS1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic XS1

 S3 XS1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Panasonic S3

 XS1 S3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2011Newer by 24 months

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic XS1

 S3 XS1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic S3 features physical measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Panasonic XS1 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") along with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic XS1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the S3 against the XS1.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and XS1 is 96 and 97 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specifications. The image here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S3 and XS1.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic XS1 to give more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged S3 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
Portrait photography with Panasonic XS1
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
30
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (103 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography features
Panasonic XS1 Sports photography features
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic XS1 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition (103 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography info
38
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
39
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging advice
Panasonic XS1 Vlogging advice
31
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
31
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (103g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Panasonic XS1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-05 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
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 -
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117g (0.26 lbs) 103g (0.23 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
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 photos 260 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $110 $130