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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III front
Portability
53
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III 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
  • Announced May 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Sony RX10 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-600mm (F2.4-4.0) lens
  • 1051g - 133 x 94 x 127mm
  • Announced March 2016
  • Replaced the Sony RX10 II
  • Replacement is Sony RX10 IV
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III Overview

Below, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Superzoom by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and RX10 III (20MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and RX10 III (1") come with totally different sensor size.

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The ZS3 was released 7 years before the RX10 III which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX10 III being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summation of how the ZS3 scores versus the RX10 III with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony RX10 III

 ZS3 RX10 III 

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 III over the Panasonic ZS3

 RX10 III ZS3 
AnnouncedMarch 2016May 2009Newer by 83 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1229k460kClearer display (+769k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony RX10 III

 ZS3 RX10 III 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS3 enjoys outer 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 RX10 III has dimensions of 133mm x 94mm x 127mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.0") along with a weight of 1051 grams (2.32 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS3 versus the RX10 III.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS3 and RX10 III is 91 and 53 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing technical specs. The picture below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS3 and RX10 III.

As you can tell, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS3 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony RX10 III will provide extra detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
Sony RX10 III Portrait photography info
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
71
manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS3
Street photography with Sony RX10 III
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
64
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
heavier than others (1,051g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX10 III as a Sports photography camera
24
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
70
incredible zoom range (24-600mm 25.0 x zoom)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery life (420 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography features
Sony RX10 III Travel photography features
63
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
55
good battery life (420 shots)
environment proof
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (1,051 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
Landscape photography with Sony RX10 III
35
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
64
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
good battery life (420 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging features
Sony RX10 III Vlogging features
30
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
28
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic support
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
does not have a selfie friendly display
heavier than others (1,051 grams)
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX10 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Sony RX10 III
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-05-14 2016-03-29
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-600mm (25.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/2.4-4.0
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 14.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 10.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 grams (0.50 lbs) 1051 grams (2.32 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 133 x 94 x 127mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 472
Other
Battery life - 420 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $200 $1,398