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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS45
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Panasonic S3 versus Panasonic ZS40, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S3 was revealed 4 years earlier than the ZS40 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the S3 scores vs the ZS40 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic ZS40

 S3 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Panasonic S3

 ZS40 S3 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2011Fresher by 36 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS40

 S3 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S3 enjoys outside 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) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S3 versus Panasonic ZS40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the S3 versus the ZS40.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and ZS40 is 96 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through specs. The visual underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and ZS40.

All in all, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS40 to result in greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older S3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography information
28
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
52
focusing manually
MP count decent (18MP)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography highlights
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography factors
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
54
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
MP count decent (18MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography features
38
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
56
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging factors
31
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS40
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-01-05 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 18 megapixels
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 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.30 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117g (0.26 lbs) 240g (0.53 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 shots 300 shots
Battery form 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
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $110 $450