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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Announced July 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
  • Announced May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Panasonic SZ5 versus Panasonic ZS3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the SZ5 (14MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was manufactured 3 years after the ZS3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a brief view of how the SZ5 scores vs the ZS3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic ZS3

 SZ5 ZS3 
AnnouncedJuly 2012May 2009Newer by 39 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic SZ5

 ZS3 SZ5 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS3

 SZ5 ZS3 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ5 provides exterior measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ5 versus Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ5 and the ZS3.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and ZS3 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by researching technical specs. The image here may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ5 and ZS3.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic SZ5 to result in greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The newer SZ5 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
34
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
19
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography info
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (136 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography advice
70
lighter than competitors in class (136 grams)
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography information
42
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse function
35
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
low MP (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging info
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (136g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
30
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-07-18 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136g (0.30 lb) 229g (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $195 $200