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Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 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
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Panasonic. The resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was introduced 3 months after the ZS3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the ZR1 grades vs the ZS3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Panasonic ZS3

 ZR1 ZS3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic ZR1

 ZS3 ZR1 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Panasonic ZS3

 ZR1 ZS3 
RevealedJuly 2009May 2009Same generation
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZR1 offers outside dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the ZR1 compared to the ZS3.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and ZS3 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions purely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR1 and ZS3.

Clearly, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZR1 to provide you with more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR1
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
57
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
63
lighter than others (229g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
32
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging information
28
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called Lumix DMC-ZX1 Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-07-27 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine V -
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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
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
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.10 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158g (0.35 lbs) 229g (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $280 $200