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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W650

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W650 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 W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W650 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony W650, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the W650 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZR3 was revealed 23 months earlier than the W650 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the ZR3 matches up vs the W650 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Sony W650

 ZR3 W650 

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Panasonic ZR3

 W650 ZR3 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2010Newer by 23 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony W650

 ZR3 W650 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZR3 comes with outside measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony W650 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony W650 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the ZR3 vs the W650.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W650 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZR3 and W650 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specifications. The picture underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR3 and W650.

To sum up, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony W650 to resolve greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged ZR3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W650 as a Portrait photography camera
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
34
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZR3
Street photography with Sony W650
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (124 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography highlights
Sony W650 Sports photography highlights
36
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
Travel photography with Sony W650
64
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition in class (124 grams)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography advice
Sony W650 Landscape photography advice
37
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
43
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging info
Sony W650 Vlogging info
29
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
33
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (124 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Sony W650
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Also called as Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-26 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
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 gr (0.35 pounds) 124 gr (0.27 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 220 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $280 $140