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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS5 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 ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Panasonic S3 versus Panasonic ZS5, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Panasonic. The resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S3 was introduced 7 months after the ZS5 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the S3 scores against the ZS5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic ZS5

 S3 ZS5 
RevealedJanuary 2011June 2010Newer by 7 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic S3

 ZS5 S3 

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS5

 S3 ZS5 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurement
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic S3 enjoys outer 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 ZS5 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S3 versus Panasonic ZS5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the S3 versus the ZS5.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the S3 and ZS5 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions purely by researching specs. The image here might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and ZS5.

All in all, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Panasonic S3 to provide you with extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The newer S3 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS5
28
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (214g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography features
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography info
68
lighter than competition (117g)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than average in class (214g)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
38
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
33
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S3
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
31
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (214 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-01-05 2010-06-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV Venus Engine HD II
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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
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 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117 grams (0.26 lbs) 214 grams (0.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 pictures -
Battery type 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 Single Single
Cost at launch $110 $300