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Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS3 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 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
  • Released May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic SZ7 versus Panasonic ZS3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the SZ7 (14MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ7 was launched 2 years after the ZS3 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SZ7 scores vs the ZS3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Panasonic ZS3

 SZ7 ZS3 
ReleasedJanuary 2012May 2009Newer by 33 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic SZ7

 ZS3 SZ7 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS3

 SZ7 ZS3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ7 provides outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ7 versus Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ7 compared to the ZS3.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ7 and ZS3 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions only by looking through specs. The image here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ7 and ZS3.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic SZ7 to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern SZ7 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography information
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (133g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography highlights
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography highlights
70
lighter than average in class (133 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse mode
35
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging details
35
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (133g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no microphone jack
30
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-01-09 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 14MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 4cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 133 grams (0.29 lbs) 229 grams (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $199 $200