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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3 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 ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S3 was unveiled 21 months after the ZS3 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple view of how the S3 matches up vs the ZS3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic ZS3

 S3 ZS3 
RevealedJanuary 2011May 2009More modern by 21 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic S3

 ZS3 S3 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS3

 S3 ZS3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S3 comes with exterior 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) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the S3 versus the ZS3.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the S3 and ZS3 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The pic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S3 and ZS3.

All in all, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic S3 to render more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher S3 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
28
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
68
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than competition (229g)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography features
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
35
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging details
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
30
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-01-05 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 AVCHD Lite
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 117 grams (0.26 lbs) 229 grams (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $110 $200