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Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS30 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
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Panasonic ZR3 versus Panasonic ZS30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the ZR3 (14MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZR3 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the ZS30 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the ZR3 grades against the ZS30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Panasonic ZS30

 ZR3 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic ZR3

 ZS30 ZR3 
LaunchedJanuary 2013January 2010More modern by 35 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Panasonic ZS30

 ZR3 ZS30 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZR3 enjoys outer measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS30 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZR3 versus Panasonic ZS30 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the ZR3 against the ZS30.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZR3 and ZS30 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing specifications. The picture here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR3 and ZS30.

Plainly, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to offer you more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged ZR3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography information
28
resolution is good (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
33
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography details
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
66
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than others (198g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZR3
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
37
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (260 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography factors
65
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than others (198 grams)
has touch to focus
megapixel count decent (18MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography highlights
37
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
44
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery life (260 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Vlogging camera
29
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
35
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (198g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3 Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-01-26 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300s 1/1200s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.30 m 6.40 m
Flash options 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
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lbs) 198 grams (0.44 lbs)
Physical 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 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
Battery life - 260 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $280 $250