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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 front
Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100 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
  • Introduced January 2011
Panasonic ZS100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-250mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 312g - 111 x 65 x 44mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ100
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS200
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Overview

Below is a extended review of the Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both built by Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and ZS100 (20MP) and the S3 (1/2.3") and ZS100 (1") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The S3 was brought out 6 years before the ZS100 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the S3 matches up versus the ZS100 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic ZS100

 S3 ZS100 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS100 over the Panasonic S3

 ZS100 S3 
RevealedJanuary 2016January 2011More recent by 60 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS100

 S3 ZS100 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic S3 enjoys physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS100 has specifications of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100 in the new Camera with 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 utilising at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the S3 and the ZS100.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S3 and ZS100 is 96 and 87 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading specs. The photograph below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and ZS100.

All in all, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The S3 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic ZS100 will offer extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The older S3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS100 as a Portrait photography camera
28
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
64
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS100 Street photography information
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
78
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW files
supports focus via touch
lighter than others in class (312 grams)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS100 Sports photography details
35
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
67
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
has tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS100
68
lighter than others in class (117g)
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
75
lighter than others in class (312g)
supports focus via touch
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS100 as a Landscape photography camera
38
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse function
68
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS100 Vlogging details
31
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
35
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than others in class (312g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS100
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ100
Category Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-01-05 2016-01-05
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD MOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 49
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 9.9fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 8.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p), 1920 x 1080 @ 60p/60i/30p/24p, 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117g (0.26 lb) 312g (0.69 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 111 x 65 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 559
Other
Battery life 250 photos 300 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $110 $700