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Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ6
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-3
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-F3
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic ZS1 versus Sony NEX-C3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS1 was introduced 3 years prior to the NEX-C3 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the ZS1 scores versus the NEX-C3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Sony NEX-C3

 ZS1 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic ZS1

 NEX-C3 ZS1 
AnnouncedAugust 2011May 2009Newer by 27 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Sony NEX-C3

 ZS1 NEX-C3 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS1 has outside dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS1 versus Sony NEX-C3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS1 compared to the NEX-C3.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS1 and NEX-C3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS1 and NEX-C3.

As you can see, both of those cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS1 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony NEX-C3 will give more detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged ZS1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-C3
25
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
73
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS1
Street photography with Sony NEX-C3
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
79
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (225 grams)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Sports photography camera
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
53
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (400 shots)
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography information
63
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
71
good battery (400 CIPA)
lighter than others (225 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography features
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (400 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging info
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (229g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
no mic socket
27
lighter than others (225 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Sony NEX-C3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-05-14 2011-08-22
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 6.3 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 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 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229 grams (0.50 lb) 225 grams (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1083
Other
Battery life - 400 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $0 $343