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Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZR3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are manufactured by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ7 (14MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ7 was brought out 24 months after the ZR3 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SZ7 scores vs the ZR3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Panasonic ZR3

 SZ7 ZR3 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2010Newer by 24 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Panasonic SZ7

 ZR3 SZ7 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZR3

 SZ7 ZR3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ7 has outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR3 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZR3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ7 and the ZR3.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ7 and ZR3 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The image here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ7 and ZR3.

As you can see, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP so you can expect similar quality of photos however you should always take the age of the products into consideration. The more recent SZ7 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography features
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
features face detect focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography factors
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (133 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography advice
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
36
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
offers tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than others (133g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
64
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography info
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
37
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging info
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (133 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic support
29
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZR3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-01-09 2010-01-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS 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 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
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) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 4cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD Lite
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 133 gr (0.29 lbs) 159 gr (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 220 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $199 $280