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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZR3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are produced by Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is fairly well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was revealed 4 years later than the ZR3 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SZ8 scores against the ZR3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic ZR3

 SZ8 ZR3 
ReleasedJanuary 2014January 2010More recent by 49 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Panasonic SZ8

 ZR3 SZ8 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZR3

 SZ8 ZR3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 comes with physical dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR3 has proportions 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 SZ8 and Panasonic ZR3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ8 compared to the ZR3.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and ZR3 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements simply by checking specifications. The photograph underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and ZR3.

Plainly, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Panasonic SZ8 to resolve greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher SZ8 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Portrait photography camera
35
good resolution (16MP)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography features
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography info
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
36
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography information
67
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (200 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
no Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR3
42
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
37
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging info
32
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic jack
29
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZR3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-01-06 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Venus Engine HD II
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 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 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 file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lbs) 159 gr (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 200 shots -
Type of battery 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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $275 $280