Clicky

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3 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
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Updated by Sony NEX-C3
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively close but the ZR3 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The ZR3 was manufactured 4 months earlier than the NEX-3 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the ZR3 matches up versus the NEX-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Sony NEX-3

 ZR3 NEX-3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Panasonic ZR3

 NEX-3 ZR3 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony NEX-3

 ZR3 NEX-3 
RevealedJanuary 2010June 2010Same generation
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZR3 provides outer measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the ZR3 vs the NEX-3.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZR3 and NEX-3 is 94 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by looking through a spec sheet. The image below will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR3 and NEX-3.

Clearly, both cameras offer the same exact resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The ZR3 features the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Portrait photography camera
28
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
72
you can focus manually
decent MP (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Street photography details
Sony NEX-3 Street photography details
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
76
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
52
decent MP (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
65
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
59
decent MP (14MP)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR3
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
37
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
68
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent MP (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging factors
29
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
27
comes with face detection autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Sony NEX-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-01-26 2010-06-07
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.30 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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) 297 grams (0.65 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 68
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.0
DXO Low light score not tested 830
Other
Battery life - 330 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $280 $0