Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3
91 Imaging
33 Features
25 Overall
29


91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Sony NEX-3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

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.

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.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 & Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS1 Gallery & Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2011 | ![]() | May 2009 | Newer by 27 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 | Sony 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 |