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Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both of them are designed by Panasonic. The resolution of the ZS3 (10MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is fairly similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS3 was brought out 13 months earlier than the ZS5 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick overview of how the ZS3 grades versus the ZS5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic ZS5

 ZS3 ZS5 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic ZS3

 ZS5 ZS3 
AnnouncedJune 2010May 2009More recent by 13 months

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Panasonic ZS5

 ZS3 ZS5 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS3 has got exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS5 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS3 vs the ZS5.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS3 and ZS5 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by going over technical specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS3 and ZS5.

As you can tell, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS5 to offer extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older ZS3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Portrait photography camera
19
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS3
Street photography with Panasonic ZS5
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (214g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
63
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
63
lighter than competitors in class (214g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
35
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
33
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
30
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (214 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7 Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-05-14 2010-06-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 gr (0.50 pounds) 214 gr (0.47 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $200 $300