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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS3
(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
Sony NEX-F3
(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
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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.

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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.

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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 
ReleasedAugust 2012May 2009More modern by 39 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony NEX-F3

 ZS3 NEX-F3 
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography info
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography information
Sony NEX-F3 Street photography information
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Sports photography camera
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
53
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (470 shots)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than competition in class (229g)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
better than average battery pack (470 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography features
35
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse recording
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (470 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Vlogging camera
30
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
27
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Sony NEX-F3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Sony 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