Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS1

The following is a complete assessment of the Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the S3 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") possess different sensor size.

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The S3 was announced 21 months after the ZS1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the S3 matches up versus the ZS1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic S3 Gallery & Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S3 enjoys external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS1 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the S3 against the ZS1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S3 and ZS1 is 96 and 91 respectively.

In many cases, it is very tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The image below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the S3 and ZS1.

As you can tell, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S3 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Panasonic S3 will render greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher S3 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.