• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-ZR3 advantages over Nikon D800

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $3000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    159g vs 1008g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon D800 advantages over Panasonic DMC-ZR3

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.21 vs 0.31 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    54 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZR1

Panasonic DMC-ZR3
Panasonic DMC-ZR1
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Nikon D800
Panasonic DMC-ZR1
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FH20

Panasonic DMC-ZR3
Panasonic DMC-FH20
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Less shutter lag
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Nikon D800
Panasonic DMC-FH20
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Samsung CL80

Panasonic DMC-ZR3
Samsung CL80
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Wider angle lens
  • $248
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon D800
Samsung CL80
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $248
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Nikon D800E

Panasonic DMC-ZR3
Nikon D800E
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Nikon D810

Panasonic DMC-ZR3
Nikon D810
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $2251
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2251
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
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