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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
55
Overall
46

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS45 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS50
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Panasonic SZ3 versus Panasonic ZS45, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the ZS45 (16MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was unveiled 24 months earlier than the ZS45 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SZ3 matches up vs the ZS45 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic ZS45

 SZ3 ZS45 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Panasonic SZ3

 ZS45 SZ3 
LaunchedJanuary 2015January 2013More modern by 24 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS45

 SZ3 ZS45 
Manual focus No manual focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ3 enjoys exterior dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS45 has specifications of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ3 versus Panasonic ZS45 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ3 against the ZS45.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and ZS45 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through specs. The pic below should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ3 and ZS45.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos although you should factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged SZ3 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
30
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
37
resolution is good (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS45 Street photography info
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
69
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (249g)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography features
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
56
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery life (350 CIPA)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography factors
71
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
great battery life (350 shots)
lighter than others in class (249g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography features
39
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
48
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
great battery life (350 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging features
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
34
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS45
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-07 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 21
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.10 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 gr (0.28 pounds) 249 gr (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures 350 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $150 $300