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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II 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
  • Announced May 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony RX100
  • Later Model is Sony RX100 III
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and RX100 II (20MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and RX100 II (1") possess totally different sensor size.

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The ZS3 was introduced 5 years earlier than the RX100 II which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summation of how the ZS3 grades against the RX100 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony RX100 II

 ZS3 RX100 II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Panasonic ZS3

 RX100 II ZS3 
ReleasedJune 2013May 2009Newer by 50 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1229k460kClearer display (+769k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony RX100 II

 ZS3 RX100 II 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS3 has external measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 II has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS3 compared to the RX100 II.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and RX100 II is 91 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions just by checking out technical specs. The pic here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS3 and RX100 II.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS3 using its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Sony RX100 II will produce more detail using its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Portrait photography camera
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
70
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography info
Sony RX100 II Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than others (281g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Sports photography camera
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
includes tracking autofocus
good battery pack (350 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography details
Sony RX100 II Travel photography details
63
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low megapixels (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
80
good battery pack (350 per charge)
lighter than others (281 grams)
decent MP (20MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography info
Sony RX100 II Landscape photography info
35
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
74
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 II as a Vlogging camera
30
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone support
37
reasonably wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (281 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Sony RX100 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-05-14 2013-06-27
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 160
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 grams (0.50 pounds) 281 grams (0.62 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 67
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 483
Other
Battery life - 350 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $200 $598