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Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

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
  • Released January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched April 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS25
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Panasonic ZR3 and Panasonic ZS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both built by Panasonic. The resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very comparable and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZR3 was announced 3 years before the ZS20 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the ZR3 grades against the ZS20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Panasonic ZS20

 ZR3 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Panasonic ZR3

 ZS20 ZR3 
LaunchedApril 2012January 2010More modern by 27 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Panasonic ZS20

 ZR3 ZS20 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZR3 features outer dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZR3 and Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the ZR3 and the ZS20.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ZR3 and ZS20 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through technical specs. The pic below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR3 and ZS20.

As you have seen, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of images but you have to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged ZR3 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
28
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
30
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography info
37
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography details
65
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
boasts touch to focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
37
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
42
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging information
29
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
34
really wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone port
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Panasonic ZS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3 Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-01-26 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/1300s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lb) 206 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery life - 260 images
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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $280 $349