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Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung SL30

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Samsung SL30 front
Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
14
Overall
24

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung SL30 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Samsung SL30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 140g - 94 x 61 x 23mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Additionally Known as ES15
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung SL30 Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Panasonic ZR3 versus Samsung SL30, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Panasonic and Samsung. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the ZR3 (14MP) and SL30 (10MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZR3 was announced 12 months later than the SL30 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the ZR3 grades against the SL30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Samsung SL30

 ZR3 SL30 
IntroducedJanuary 2010February 2009More recent by 12 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Samsung SL30 over the Panasonic ZR3

 SL30 ZR3 

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Samsung SL30

 ZR3 SL30 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung SL30 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZR3 features exterior dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Samsung SL30 has proportions of 94mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZR3 versus Samsung SL30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the ZR3 vs the SL30.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung SL30 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZR3 and SL30 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung SL30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung SL30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZR3 and SL30.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZR3 to produce extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer ZR3 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung SL30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung SL30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung SL30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography advice
Samsung SL30 Portrait photography advice
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
24
has face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Street photography factors
Samsung SL30 Street photography factors
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography info
Samsung SL30 Sports photography info
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
16
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
Travel photography with Samsung SL30
64
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR3
Landscape photography with Samsung SL30
37
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
22
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung SL30 as a Vlogging camera
29
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
25
has face detection focus
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung SL30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Samsung SL30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Samsung SL30
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Samsung SL30
Alternate name Lumix DMC-ZX3 ES15
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-01-26 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 38-114mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.30 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Auto & Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Fill-in Flash, Flash Off, Red-Eye Fix
External flash
AEB
White balance 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) 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 grams (0.35 pounds) 140 grams (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 94 x 61 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $280 $93