Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


93 Imaging
38 Features
31 Overall
35
Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 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
- Launched January 2011
(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

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").

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.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic S3 Gallery and Sony H70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Sony H70
S3 | H70 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony H70 over the Panasonic S3
H70 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Sony H70
S3 | H70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2011 | ![]() | January 2011 | Same generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony H70 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Sony 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 |