Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W550
91 Imaging
32 Features
30 Overall
31
96 Imaging
36 Features
28 Overall
32
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W550 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
- Announced May 2009
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
- 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Revealed July 2011
Photography Glossary Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W550 Overview
The following is a complete review of the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W550, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and W550 (14MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe ZS3 was introduced 3 years earlier than the W550 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ZS3 grades versus the W550 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery & Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony W550
| ZS3 | W550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Panasonic ZS3
| W550 | ZS3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | July 2011 |  | May 2009 | Newer by 26 months |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony W550
| ZS3 | W550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | No manual focus | ||
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen size | 3" |  | 3" | Same screen size |
| Selfie screen |  | Lack of selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Neither has Touch screen |
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS3 has outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony W550 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W550 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS3 compared to the W550.
Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS3 and W550 is 91 and 96 respectively.
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading specifications. The pic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS3 and W550.
Plainly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Sony W550 to deliver greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W550 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
| Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-TZ7 | - |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Ultracompact |
| Announced | 2009-05-14 | 2011-07-24 |
| Physical type | Compact | Ultracompact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | - | BIONZ |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | f/2.7-5.7 |
| Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
| Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen technology | - | Clear Photo LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 2 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) | 3.80 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | AVCHD Lite | MPEG-4 |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 229 gr (0.50 pounds) | 110 gr (0.24 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery ID | - | NP-BN1 |
| 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 |
| Card slots | Single | - |
| Pricing at release | $200 | $119 |