Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50
96 Imaging
36 Features
24 Overall
31
96 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
37
Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
- 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
- Released January 2012
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On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic S3 and Sony WX50, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the WX50 (16MP) is very close and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe S3 was released 13 months before the WX50 making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the S3 matches up against the WX50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic S3 Gallery & Sony WX50 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Sony WX50
| S3 | WX50 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Panasonic S3
| WX50 | S3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2012 | January 2011 | Newer by 13 months | |
| Display resolution | 461k | 230k | Sharper display (+231k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Sony WX50
| S3 | WX50 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Lack of manual focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimensions | 2.7" | 2.7" | Equal display size | |
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic S3 features physical 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 WX50 has specifications of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic S3 and Sony WX50 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the S3 versus the WX50.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S3 and WX50 is 96 and 96 respectively.
Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specs. The image here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S3 and WX50.
All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Sony WX50 to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged S3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.
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Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2011-01-05 | 2012-01-30 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Venus Engine IV | BIONZ |
| Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | - |
| Cross focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 25-125mm (5.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | f/2.6-6.3 |
| Macro focus distance | 5cm | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 2.7" | 2.7" |
| Resolution of display | 230k dots | 461k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Display technology | TFT LCD | Clearfoto TFT LCD display |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 8s | 4s |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.30 m | 5.30 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| 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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 117 gr (0.26 pounds) | 117 gr (0.26 pounds) |
| 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 photos | 240 photos |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NP-BN |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Retail cost | $110 | $250 |