Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX5
91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31


95 Imaging
35 Features
29 Overall
32
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX5 Key Specs
(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
- Released May 2009
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.8" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
- 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
- Launched July 2010

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX5 Overview
Below is a in-depth review of the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony WX5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS3 (10MP) and the WX5 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The ZS3 was announced 14 months earlier than the WX5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the ZS3 scores vs the WX5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery & Sony WX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony WX5
ZS3 | WX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Panasonic ZS3
WX5 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | More recent by 14 months |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony WX5
ZS3 | WX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison
If you're going to lug around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS3 enjoys exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony WX5 has sizing of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") along with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony WX5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS3 against the WX5.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS3 and WX5 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's tough to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by going over technical specs. The visual below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS3 and WX5.
As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sony WX5 to offer greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older ZS3 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony WX5 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 |
Also called | Lumix DMC-TZ7 | - |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-05-14 | 2010-07-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
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 | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | f/2.4-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 2.8 inch |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 461 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 2 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) | 5.10 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | AVCHD Lite | AVCHD |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 gr (0.50 pounds) | 146 gr (0.32 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $200 | $250 |