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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS3

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS3 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Launched July 2012
Panasonic TS3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FT3
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic TS2
  • Renewed by Panasonic TS4
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS3 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Panasonic SZ5 versus Panasonic TS3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are offered by Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the TS3 (12MP) is pretty similar and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was unveiled 12 months later than the TS3 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SZ5 scores against the TS3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic TS3

 SZ5 TS3 
LaunchedJuly 2012August 2011More recent by 12 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Panasonic SZ5

 TS3 SZ5 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic TS3

 SZ5 TS3 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ5 enjoys outside measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic TS3 has proportions of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ5 versus Panasonic TS3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ5 versus the TS3.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ5 and TS3 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to picture the contrast between sensor measurements just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ5 and TS3.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic SZ5 to offer you more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern SZ5 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic TS3 Portrait photography highlights
34
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ5
Street photography with Panasonic TS3
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic TS3 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
37
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery (310 CIPA)
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography features
Panasonic TS3 Travel photography features
70
lighter than competition in class (136g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
63
good battery (310 per charge)
weather proof
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography features
Panasonic TS3 Landscape photography features
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
38
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
good battery (310 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
Vlogging with Panasonic TS3
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (136g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic TS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FT3
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2012-07-18 2011-08-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine FHD
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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-128mm (4.6x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 gr (0.30 lb) 197 gr (0.43 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" 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 310 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $195 $380