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Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30

Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
41
Overall
39

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
Sony WX30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the WX30 (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S3 was introduced 6 months earlier than the WX30 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the S3 matches up against the WX30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Sony WX30

 S3 WX30 

Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Panasonic S3

 WX30 S3 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Sony WX30

 S3 WX30 
LaunchedJanuary 2011July 2011Same generation
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S3 has got external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Sony WX30 has dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the S3 and the WX30.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and WX30 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements simply by seeing a spec sheet. The visual here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S3 and WX30.

As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Sony WX30 to provide greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography info
Sony WX30 Portrait photography info
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
29
good MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography details
Sony WX30 Street photography details
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
Sony WX30 Sports photography info
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography advice
Sony WX30 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than average (117g)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than average in class (117g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX30 as a Landscape photography camera
37
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse recording
42
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging details
Sony WX30 Vlogging details
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
35
fairly wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
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Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Sony WX30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-05 2011-07-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV BIONZ
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 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD XtraFine TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 3.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 gr (0.26 lb) 117 gr (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 pictures 250 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN1
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 Single Single
Retail pricing $110 $259