Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3
91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31


86 Imaging
57 Features
60 Overall
58
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 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
- Launched May 2009
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
- Released August 2012
- Old Model is Sony NEX-C3
- Successor is Sony NEX-3N

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview
In this write-up, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and NEX-F3 (16MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and NEX-F3 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

The ZS3 was revealed 4 years earlier than the NEX-F3 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the ZS3 scores against the NEX-F3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 & Sony Alpha NEX-F3. The full galleries are available at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery & Sony NEX-F3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony NEX-F3
ZS3 | NEX-F3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Panasonic ZS3
NEX-F3 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2012 | ![]() | May 2009 | More modern by 39 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony NEX-F3
ZS3 | NEX-F3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS3 offers exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony NEX-F3 has proportions of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).
See the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS3 compared to the NEX-F3.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and NEX-F3 is 91 and 86 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes only by reviewing specifications. The pic here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS3 and NEX-F3.
Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ZS3 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony NEX-F3 will offer you extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Alpha NEX-F3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Alpha NEX-F3 |
Also called as | Lumix DMC-TZ7 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2009-05-14 | 2012-08-16 |
Physical type | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 16000 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | - |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | AVCHD Lite | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 229 gr (0.50 lb) | 314 gr (0.69 lb) |
Dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1114 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 470 photographs |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $200 | $470 |