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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was revealed 24 months after the ZR3 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the SZ1 scores vs the ZR3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic ZR3

 SZ1 ZR3 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2010Newer by 24 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Panasonic SZ1

 ZR3 SZ1 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZR3

 SZ1 ZR3 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 comes with outer measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ1 against the ZR3.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and ZR3 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ1 and ZR3.

Clearly, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic SZ1 to give more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The fresher SZ1 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR3
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
36
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
supports tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography advice
70
lighter than competition (131 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
64
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
43
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
37
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging information
32
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than competition (131 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
29
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZR3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-09 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 AVCHD Lite
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 131g (0.29 lb) 159g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $179 $280