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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX1

Portability
91
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX1 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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Sony WX1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Released August 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX1 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic ZS3 versus Sony WX1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS3 (10MP) and the WX1 (10MP) is very similar but the ZS3 (1/2.3") and WX1 (1/2.4") use totally different sensor size.

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The ZS3 was introduced 2 months before the WX1 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Sony WX1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the ZS3 grades versus the WX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony WX1

 ZS3 WX1 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony WX1 over the Panasonic ZS3

 WX1 ZS3 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony WX1

 ZS3 WX1 
ReleasedMay 2009August 2009Similar age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS3 has got physical dimensions 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 WX1 has measurements of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") having a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS3 versus Sony WX1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS3 against the WX1.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and WX1 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX1 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS3 and WX1.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor measurements. The ZS3 features the larger sensor which will make getting shallow DOF less difficult.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
Sony WX1 Portrait photography info
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography details
Sony WX1 Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than others in class (149 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography info
Sony WX1 Sports photography info
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography factors
Sony WX1 Travel photography factors
62
lighter than competition in class (229g)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
56
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (149g)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX1 Landscape photography highlights
35
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
31
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX1 as a Vlogging camera
29
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
28
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic jack
heavier than others in class (149g)
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Sony WX1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2009-05-14 2009-08-06
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 160
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
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) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 gr (0.50 pounds) 149 gr (0.33 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $200 $149