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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390 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
  • Released January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A380
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390 Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the A390 (14MP) is very comparable but the ZR3 (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

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The ZR3 was revealed 6 months prior to the A390 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the ZR3 matches up versus the A390 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Sony A390

 ZR3 A390 

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Panasonic ZR3

 A390 ZR3 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony A390

 ZR3 A390 
LaunchedJanuary 2010July 2010Same age
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display sizing
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZR3 enjoys outer measurements 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 Sony A390 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the ZR3 compared to the A390.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ZR3 and A390 is 94 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by seeing specifications. The image here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR3 and A390.

To sum up, both of the cameras come with the identical resolution but different sensor sizes. The ZR3 includes the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography info
Sony A390 Portrait photography info
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
72
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Street photography camera
Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
76
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography features
Sony A390 Sports photography features
36
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
low battery life (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography features
Sony A390 Travel photography features
64
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
53
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery life (230 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A390 Landscape photography highlights
37
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low battery life (230 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging details
Sony A390 Vlogging details
29
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
9
can't shoot video
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Sony A390
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Other name Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-01-26 2010-07-28
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias 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
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format AVCHD Lite -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lbs) 549 grams (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 607
Other
Battery life - 230 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $280 $500