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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony S2100

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony S2100 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
  • Launched January 2013
Sony S2100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-105mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 61 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2010
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony S2100 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic SZ3 versus Sony S2100, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and S2100 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was announced 3 years after the S2100 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the SZ3 matches up versus the S2100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Sony S2100

 SZ3 S2100 
IntroducedJanuary 2013January 2010More modern by 37 months

Reasons to pick Sony S2100 over the Panasonic SZ3

 S2100 SZ3 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony S2100

 SZ3 S2100 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony S2100 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ3 features outer measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony S2100 has sizing of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

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Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ3 compared to the S2100.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony S2100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and S2100 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony S2100 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony S2100 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through specs. The pic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ3 and S2100.

All in all, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic SZ3 to give extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more modern SZ3 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony S2100 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony S2100 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony S2100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S2100 as a Portrait photography camera
30
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Street photography camera
Sony S2100 as a Street photography camera
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
46
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography details
Sony S2100 Sports photography details
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
features tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography details
Sony S2100 Travel photography details
71
lighter than competition in class (126g)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
Landscape photography with Sony S2100
39
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
27
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging information
Sony S2100 Vlogging information
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony S2100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Sony S2100
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-07 2010-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 33-105mm (3.2x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 1s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1200s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
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 gr (0.28 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 61 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, optional SD, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $150 $0