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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced January 2013
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and ZS5 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was introduced 2 years after the ZS5 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SZ3 scores vs the ZS5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic ZS5

 SZ3 ZS5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013June 2010More modern by 32 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic SZ3

 ZS5 SZ3 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS5

 SZ3 ZS5 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ3 offers outer dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS5 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SZ3 versus the ZS5.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and ZS5 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to see the gap in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The image below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ3 and ZS5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ3 to result in extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer SZ3 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography info
30
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography details
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (126 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (214g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ3
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than competitors (126 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than competition in class (214g)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
39
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
33
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging details
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (126g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-07 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 grams (0.28 pounds) 214 grams (0.47 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 shots -
Battery form 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 Single Single
Price at launch $150 $300