• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 33.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic DMC-FS3 advantages over Sony WX300

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $330 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony WX300 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FS3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    500 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    12 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 33 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NV30

Panasonic DMC-FS3
Samsung NV30
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle lens
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
Sony WX300
Samsung NV30
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony DSC-S780

Panasonic DMC-FS3
Sony DSC-S780
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
Sony WX300
Sony DSC-S780
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon SD1100 IS

Panasonic DMC-FS3
Canon SD1100 IS
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Sony WX300
Canon SD1100 IS
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Panasonic DMC-FS3
Panasonic ZS25
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony WX300
Panasonic ZS25
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compared to Sony WX350

Panasonic DMC-FS3
Sony WX350
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony WX300
Sony WX350
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Shoots 60p video
Compare Other Cameras?