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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX9V 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
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Announced July 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX9V Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Panasonic ZS3 versus Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and HX9V (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS3 was revealed 3 years prior to the HX9V which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the ZS3 matches up vs the HX9V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony HX9V

 ZS3 HX9V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Panasonic ZS3

 HX9V ZS3 
AnnouncedJuly 2011May 2009More modern by 26 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony HX9V

 ZS3 HX9V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS3 offers exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony HX9V has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS3 versus Sony HX9V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the ZS3 and the HX9V.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and HX9V is 91 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes simply by seeing a spec sheet. The image underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS3 and HX9V.

As you can see, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Sony HX9V to show extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography features
Sony HX9V Portrait photography features
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
39
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography information
Sony HX9V Street photography information
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography information
Sony HX9V Sports photography information
24
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
44
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
MP count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition (245g)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Landscape photography camera
35
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
49
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
Vlogging with Sony HX9V
30
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
33
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic port
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Sony HX9V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-05-14 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229 gr (0.50 pounds) 245 gr (0.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Retail price $200 $328