Panasonic S3 vs Samsung WB850F
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


91 Imaging
39 Features
51 Overall
43
Panasonic S3 vs Samsung WB850F 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)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 250g - 109 x 62 x 25mm
- Introduced January 2012

Panasonic S3 vs Samsung WB850F Overview
Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic S3 vs Samsung WB850F, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the WB850F (16MP) is relatively similar and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The S3 was launched 12 months before the WB850F which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the S3 grades versus the WB850F for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic S3 vs Samsung WB850F Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 & Samsung WB850F. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic S3 Gallery & Samsung WB850F Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Samsung WB850F
S3 | WB850F |
---|
Reasons to pick Samsung WB850F over the Panasonic S3
WB850F | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | Newer by 12 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+384k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Samsung WB850F
S3 | WB850F | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic S3 vs Samsung WB850F Physical Comparison
If you are going to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S3 has external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Samsung WB850F has dimensions of 109mm x 62mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.0") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic S3 vs Samsung WB850F in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the S3 versus the WB850F.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and WB850F is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Samsung WB850F Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specs. The pic underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and WB850F.
As you can plainly see, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Samsung WB850F to offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged S3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Samsung WB850F Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Samsung WB850F Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Samsung WB850F | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Samsung |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Samsung WB850F |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-01-05 | 2012-01-09 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine IV | - |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 23-483mm (21.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 614k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | AMOLED display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 seconds | 8 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB 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 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 117g (0.26 pounds) | 250g (0.55 pounds) |
Dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 109 x 62 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.0") |
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 photos | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | - | SLB-10A |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $110 | $599 |