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Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 front
Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
31
Overall
35

Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 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
Sony H70
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 194g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 Overview

Below is a detailed review of the Panasonic S3 and Sony H70, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the H70 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S3 was manufactured very close to the H70 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the S3 grades vs the H70 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Sony H70

 S3 H70 

Reasons to pick Sony H70 over the Panasonic S3

 H70 S3 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Sony H70

 S3 H70 
IntroducedJanuary 2011January 2011Same generation
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S3 comes with exterior 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 Sony H70 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic S3 and Sony H70 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the S3 vs the H70.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and H70 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching specifications. The graphic below may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the S3 and H70.

To sum up, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Sony H70 to provide you with greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography factors
Sony H70 Portrait photography factors
28
MP count good (14MP)
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
29
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography info
Sony H70 Street photography info
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
Sony H70 Sports photography info
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography advice
Sony H70 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
Landscape photography with Sony H70
38
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
42
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging info
Sony H70 Vlogging info
31
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
29
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
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Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Sony H70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-01-05 2011-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 3.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117 grams (0.26 lb) 194 grams (0.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $110 $199