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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are created by Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was announced 12 months earlier than the SZ3 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SZ1 matches up versus the SZ3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic SZ3

 SZ1 SZ3 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic SZ1

 SZ3 SZ1 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2012Fresher by 12 months

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic SZ3

 SZ1 SZ3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 has got external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ3 has dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ1 and the SZ3.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and SZ3 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ1 and SZ3.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures but you should really consider the age of the products into consideration. The older SZ1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
30
decent MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography information
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (131g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography factors
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography info
70
lighter than average in class (131g)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than competition (126 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
43
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
39
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (131 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic SZ3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-09 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 4cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 4.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131 gr (0.29 lb) 126 gr (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photographs 250 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $179 $150