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Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50

Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 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 WX50
(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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Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 Overview

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").

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The 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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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Sony WX50

 S3 WX50 

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Panasonic S3

 WX50 S3 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2011Newer by 13 months
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Sony WX50

 S3 WX50 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S3 and WX50 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

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.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography details
Sony WX50 Portrait photography details
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography advice
Sony WX50 Street photography advice
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography highlights
Sony WX50 Sports photography highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
44
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Sony WX50
68
lighter than competition (117 grams)
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX50 Landscape photography highlights
37
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
38
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging advice
Sony WX50 Vlogging advice
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
35
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Sony WX50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Sony 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