• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A200 advantages over Panasonic DMC-S3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
    ~ 6.12 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 750 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.8 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic DMC-S3 advantages over Sony DSLR-A200

  • Less expensive
    $130 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    20 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    117g vs 625g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 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.

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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Sony DSLR-A200
Pentax K200D
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Pentax K200D

Panasonic DMC-S3
Pentax K200D
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Nikon D60

Sony DSLR-A200
Nikon D60
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Nikon D60

Panasonic DMC-S3
Nikon D60
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Sony DSLR-A200
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Panasonic DMC-S3
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Panasonic DMC-S1

Sony DSLR-A200
Panasonic DMC-S1
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $120
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Panasonic DMC-S1

Panasonic DMC-S3
Panasonic DMC-S1
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • $120
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Panasonic DMC-S1

Compared to Pentax RS1500

Sony DSLR-A200
Pentax RS1500
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Pentax RS1500

Panasonic DMC-S3
Pentax RS1500
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Pentax RS1500

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