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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2012
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and W690 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS3 was launched 3 years prior to the W690 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the ZS3 grades versus the W690 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony W690

 ZS3 W690 
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Panasonic ZS3

 W690 ZS3 
RevealedFebruary 2012May 2009Fresher by 34 months

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony W690

 ZS3 W690 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS3 offers external measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony W690 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS3 compared to the W690.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and W690 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through technical specs. The visual below may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS3 and W690.

As you can tell, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Sony W690 to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older ZS3 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W690 as a Portrait photography camera
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography advice
Sony W690 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography advice
Sony W690 Sports photography advice
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography highlights
Sony W690 Travel photography highlights
63
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
68
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W690 as a Landscape photography camera
35
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
43
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging highlights
Sony W690 Vlogging highlights
30
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Sony W690
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-05-14 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
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
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4
Microphone 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 grams (0.50 lb) 142 grams (0.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 life - 220 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
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 Single
Launch price $200 $297