Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX7V
91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31


92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX7V 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
- Introduced May 2009
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Introduced July 2011

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX7V Overview
On this page, we are looking at the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony HX7V, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and HX7V (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The ZS3 was brought out 3 years before the HX7V and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going into a full comparison, here is a brief summation of how the ZS3 matches up against the HX7V when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX7V Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery & Sony HX7V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony HX7V
ZS3 | HX7V |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Panasonic ZS3
HX7V | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2011 | ![]() | May 2009 | More recent by 26 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony HX7V
ZS3 | HX7V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison
When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS3 has physical 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 HX7V has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony HX7V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the ZS3 vs the HX7V.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and HX7V is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements simply by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS3 and HX7V.
As you can see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony HX7V to provide you with extra detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The older ZS3 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX7V Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V |
Also Known as | Lumix DMC-TZ7 | - |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2009-05-14 | 2011-07-19 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 460k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | - | XtraFine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) | 4.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | AVCHD Lite | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 229 gr (0.50 pounds) | 208 gr (0.46 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery model | - | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch price | $200 | $499 |