Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-3
91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31


89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Revealed May 2009
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Announced June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-C3

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Below is a extensive assessment of the Panasonic ZS3 versus Sony NEX-3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

The ZS3 was introduced 12 months prior to the NEX-3 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the ZS3 grades vs the NEX-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony NEX-3
ZS3 | NEX-3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Panasonic ZS3
NEX-3 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | More recent by 12 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony NEX-3
ZS3 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS3 offers exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic ZS3 versus Sony NEX-3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the ZS3 against the NEX-3.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and NEX-3 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specifications. The graphic below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS3 and NEX-3.
Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS3 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Sony NEX-3 will offer extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The older ZS3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-TZ7 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2009-05-14 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
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) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | - |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 460k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | AVCHD Lite | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 229 grams (0.50 lbs) | 297 grams (0.65 lbs) |
Dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 pictures |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $200 | $0 |