• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic DMC-ZR3 advantages over Sony A77 II

  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony A77 II advantages over Panasonic DMC-ZR3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    11 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1230k 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
    0.09 vs 0.31 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.5 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    26 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
    51200 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
  • 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
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality, especially lower ISOs; Improved high ISO performance when using RAW; Very good dynamic range; High-resolution images; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 12fps burst mode with C-AF; Good value for its class.

  • Lackluster continuous AF performance; Strong NR processing in high ISO JPEGs; Sluggish buffer clearing; Short battery life compared to most DSLRs; Joystick control easy to press accidentally.

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
Sony A77 II
Panasonic DMC-ZR1
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Longer exposure

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
Sony A77 II
Panasonic DMC-FH20
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Longer exposure

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
Sony A77 II
Samsung CL80
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $248
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Slow-motion videos

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Panasonic DMC-ZR3
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $1604
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A77 II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1604
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D7200

Panasonic DMC-ZR3
Nikon D7200
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $1021
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A77 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1021
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
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