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Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS50 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 referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS60
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Here is a complete review of the Panasonic ZS3 versus Panasonic ZS50, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both designed by Panasonic. The resolution of the ZS3 (10MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is pretty close and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS3 was unveiled 6 years prior to the ZS50 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the ZS3 scores against the ZS50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic ZS50

 ZS3 ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Panasonic ZS3

 ZS50 ZS3 
RevealedJanuary 2015May 2009Fresher by 68 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Panasonic ZS50

 ZS3 ZS50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS3 features external 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 ZS50 has proportions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS3 versus Panasonic ZS50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS3 compared to the ZS50.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and ZS50 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing specs. The graphic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS3 and ZS50.

All in all, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic ZS50 to result in extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The older ZS3 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography information
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
42
you can focus manually
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (243g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography info
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
43
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
66
lighter than competition in class (243g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS50
35
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
51
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
30
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
34
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Panasonic ZS50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ7 Lumix DMC-TZ70
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-05-14 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 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 pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229g (0.50 lbs) 243g (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life - 300 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $200 $350