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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 Mark II front
Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
93
Overall
82

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II 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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Sony A9 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 678g - 129 x 96 x 76mm
  • Announced October 2019
  • Succeeded the Sony A9
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and A9 II (24MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and A9 II (Full frame) have totally different sensor size.

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The ZS3 was brought out 11 years earlier than the A9 II and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the ZS3 matches up against the A9 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony A9 II

 ZS3 A9 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 II over the Panasonic ZS3

 A9 II ZS3 
AnnouncedOctober 2019May 2009Fresher by 126 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k460kCrisper screen (+980k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony A9 II

 ZS3 A9 II 
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS3 provides external measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony A9 II has specifications of 129mm x 96mm x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS3 and the A9 II.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and A9 II is 91 and 62 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading specifications. The graphic underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS3 and A9 II.

To sum up, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZS3 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony A9 II will offer more detail having its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older ZS3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography details
Sony A9 II Portrait photography details
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
85
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography information
Sony A9 II Street photography information
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
78
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus via touch
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography information
Sony A9 II Sports photography information
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
87
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery life (690 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 II as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
73
better than average battery life (690 CIPA)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
MP count good (24 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
Landscape photography with Sony A9 II
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
86
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery life (690 shots)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging factors
Sony A9 II Vlogging factors
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A9 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Sony A9 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Sony Alpha A9 Mark II
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Sony Alpha A9 Mark II
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2009-05-14 2019-10-03
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 693
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Available lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 gr (0.50 lbs) 678 gr (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 129 x 96 x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0")
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
Battery life - 690 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous, 3 or 5 frames)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Single 2
Pricing at release $200 $4,498