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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Released January 2012
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was introduced 2 years after the ZS3 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SZ1 matches up vs the ZS3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic ZS3

 SZ1 ZS3 
ReleasedJanuary 2012May 2009Newer by 33 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic SZ1

 ZS3 SZ1 
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS3

 SZ1 ZS3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ1 features physical 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 ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ1 against the ZS3.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and ZS3 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The image underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and ZS3.

All in all, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic SZ1 to provide you with extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots more aggressively. The newer SZ1 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
34
decent MP (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography advice
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than competition in class (131g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than average in class (229g)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
35
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging factors
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (131g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
30
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-01-09 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
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), 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 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 131g (0.29 pounds) 229g (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Type of battery 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $179 $200