Panasonic S3 vs Samsung SL30
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


95 Imaging
33 Features
14 Overall
25
Panasonic S3 vs Samsung SL30 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2011
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-114mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
- 140g - 94 x 61 x 23mm
- Revealed February 2009
- Also referred to as ES15

Panasonic S3 vs Samsung SL30 Overview
Following is a complete analysis of the Panasonic S3 vs Samsung SL30, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Samsung. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and SL30 (10MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The S3 was brought out 23 months after the SL30 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the S3 grades versus the SL30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic S3 vs Samsung SL30 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 & Samsung SL30. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic S3 Gallery & Samsung SL30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Samsung SL30
S3 | SL30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 23 months |
Screen size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Samsung SL30 over the Panasonic S3
SL30 | S3 |
---|
Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Samsung SL30
S3 | SL30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic S3 vs Samsung SL30 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S3 has got outer 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 Samsung SL30 has dimensions of 94mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic S3 vs Samsung SL30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the S3 and the SL30.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and SL30 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Samsung SL30 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the S3 and SL30.
Clearly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Panasonic S3 to offer you more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The fresher S3 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Samsung SL30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Samsung SL30 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Samsung SL30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Samsung |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Samsung SL30 |
Otherwise known as | - | ES15 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-01-05 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | 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 alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 38-114mm (3.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | f/2.8-5.7 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7" | 2.5" |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8s | 8s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 4.60 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Auto & Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Fill-in Flash, Flash Off, Red-Eye Fix |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 117 gr (0.26 lbs) | 140 gr (0.31 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 94 x 61 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 images | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $110 | $93 |