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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both designed by Panasonic. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was introduced 4 years later than the ZS3 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SZ8 matches up vs the ZS3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic ZS3

 SZ8 ZS3 
IntroducedJanuary 2014May 2009More recent by 57 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic SZ8

 ZS3 SZ8 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS3

 SZ8 ZS3 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 features outside measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ8 against the ZS3.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and ZS3 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching technical specs. The photograph here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and ZS3.

As you have seen, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ8 to render greater detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SZ8 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography advice
35
megapixel count good (16MP)
features face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
19
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than average (159 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than average (229 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography advice
42
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
35
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
32
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than average (159g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
30
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone port
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-01-06 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
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 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lbs) 229 gr (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 200 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $275 $200