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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 front
Portability
62
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350 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
  • Launched January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Sony A350
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 674g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Replacement is Sony A380
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350 Overview

Below is a in depth overview of the Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the A350 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the ZR3 (1/2.3") and A350 (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

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The ZR3 was announced 20 months later than the A350 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A350 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ZR3 scores vs the A350 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Sony A350

 ZR3 A350 
ReleasedJanuary 2010June 2008More recent by 20 months

Reasons to pick Sony A350 over the Panasonic ZR3

 A350 ZR3 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony A350

 ZR3 A350 
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen size
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZR3 offers exterior dimensions 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 Sony A350 has sizing of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 674 grams (1.49 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the ZR3 compared to the A350.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZR3 and A350 is 94 and 62 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to see the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing specs. The visual underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR3 and A350.

All in all, the 2 cameras feature the identical megapixels albeit not the same sensor measurements. The ZR3 contains the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower DOF more challenging. The younger ZR3 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A350 as a Portrait photography camera
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
71
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Street photography details
Sony A350 Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
66
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
heavier than competitors (674 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZR3
Sports photography with Sony A350
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography factors
Sony A350 Travel photography factors
64
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (674g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography information
Sony A350 Landscape photography information
37
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
64
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
Vlogging with Sony A350
29
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A350 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Sony A350
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
Alternate name Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-01-26 2008-06-06
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format AVCHD Lite -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 gr (0.35 lbs) 674 gr (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 595
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $280 $600