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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A6500

Portability
91
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A6500 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
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Launched October 2016
  • Older Model is Sony A6300
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A6500 Overview

Here is a extended overview of the Panasonic ZS3 versus Sony A6500, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and A6500 (24MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and A6500 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS3 was announced 8 years before the A6500 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the ZS3 scores versus the A6500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony A6500

 ZS3 A6500 

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Panasonic ZS3

 A6500 ZS3 
LaunchedOctober 2016May 2009Fresher by 90 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k460kSharper display (+462k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony A6500

 ZS3 A6500 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS3 has exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony A6500 has measurements of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS3 versus Sony A6500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the ZS3 versus the A6500.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS3 and A6500 is 91 and 81 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing purely by checking specifications. The photograph underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS3 and A6500.

Plainly, both the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS3 using its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh harder and the Sony A6500 will give you greater detail with its extra 14MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The older ZS3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Portrait photography camera
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
79
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography info
Sony A6500 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
85
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
includes focus by touch
weather proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography info
Sony A6500 Sports photography info
24
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
76
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
Travel photography with Sony A6500
62
lighter than others (229g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
74
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes focus by touch
good MP (24MP)
built-in flash
not so great battery (350 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography features
Sony A6500 Landscape photography features
35
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery (350 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging advice
Sony A6500 Vlogging advice
29
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
39
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Sony A6500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Sony Alpha a6500
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Sony Alpha a6500
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-05-14 2016-10-06
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 425
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229 gr (0.50 pounds) 453 gr (1.00 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 85
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1405
Other
Battery life - 350 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $200 $1,298