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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony QX30

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony QX30 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
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Released September 2014
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony QX30 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZR3 versus Sony QX30, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Lens-style by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZR3 (14MP) and QX30 (20MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZR3 was manufactured 5 years prior to the QX30 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the ZR3 scores vs the QX30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Sony QX30

 ZR3 QX30 
Screen dimensions2.7""Bigger screen (+2.7")
Screen resolution230k0kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Panasonic ZR3

 QX30 ZR3 
ReleasedSeptember 2014January 2010Fresher by 56 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony QX30

 ZR3 QX30 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZR3 comes with outer dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony QX30 has specifications of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZR3 versus Sony QX30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZR3 and the QX30.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZR3 and QX30 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching technical specs. The graphic here should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR3 and QX30.

As you have seen, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony QX30 to result in greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The older ZR3 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography details
Sony QX30 Portrait photography details
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
38
good MP (20MP)
includes face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Street photography features
Sony QX30 Street photography features
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZR3
Sports photography with Sony QX30
36
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
includes tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
47
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography highlights
Sony QX30 Travel photography highlights
64
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
comes with focus via touch
good MP (20 megapixels)
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
no Time Lapse recording
low battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography information
Sony QX30 Landscape photography information
37
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
39
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small ( inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
Vlogging with Sony QX30
29
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
35
relatively wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no external mic support
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Sony QX30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Also called as Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Lens-style
Introduced 2010-01-26 2014-09-03
Physical type Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-6.3
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch -
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 0 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro None
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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) 193 gr (0.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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
Battery life - 200 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $280 $348