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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS50 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 ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS45
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS60
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS50, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Panasonic. The image resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S3 was introduced 5 years prior to the ZS50 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the S3 matches up versus the ZS50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic ZS50

 S3 ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Panasonic S3

 ZS50 S3 
LaunchedJanuary 2015January 2011Fresher by 48 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS50

 S3 ZS50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S3 has got external measurements 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 ZS50 has proportions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

See the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS50 in the all new Camera and 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 working with during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the S3 vs the ZS50.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and ZS50 is 96 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing purely by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S3 and ZS50.

Clearly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic S3 to give you more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The older S3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Portrait photography camera
28
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
42
you can focus manually
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography info
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
68
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (243g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S3
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS50
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
43
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS50
68
lighter than average (117g)
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
66
lighter than competitors in class (243g)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS50
38
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
51
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging details
31
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (243 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-01-05 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
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 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type 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 range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.30 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 grams (0.26 pounds) 243 grams (0.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life 250 images 300 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $110 $350