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Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony RX100 III Comparison

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Panasonic ZS200

20 MP | 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) MOS Sensor

Panasonic ZS200
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Sony RX100 III

20 MP | 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Sony RX100 III
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Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony RX100 III Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing ZS200 and RX100 III, two Large Sensor Compact cameras from Panasonic and Sony. Both Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III cameras have 20.0MP 1-inch sensors. Panasonic ZS200 was introduced to market in February 2018 and Sony RX100 III was launched in May 2014. As you can see, RX100 III is 4 years older than ZS200. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Panasonic ZS200 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2018-02-13
  • 20MP - 1-inch MOS Sensor
  • ISO 125 - 12800 ( expands to 80-25600)
  • 24-360 mm F3.3-6.4 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3" Fixed Type Screen
  • 2330k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 10.0 fps continuous shooting
  • 4K (UHD) - 3840 x 2160 video resolution
  • Built-in Wireless
  • 340g. 111 x 66 x 45 mm
  • Also known as Lumix DC-TZ200
  • Replaced Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 Compare

Sony RX100 III Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2014-05-15
  • 20MP - 1-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • 24-70 mm F1.8-2.8 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3 Tilting Screen
  • 1440k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 10 fps continuous shooting
  • Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • 120fps High-Speed Video
  • Built-in Wireless
  • 290g. 102 x 58 x 41 mm
  • Replaced Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II Compare

Sony RX100 III was replaced by Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV vs Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 (Lumix DC-TZ200)

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
Touch Screen
Yes vs No Easy control of camera functions
Number of Focus Points
49 vs 25 24 more focus points
Battery Life
370 shots vs 320 shots 50 more frames with a single charge
Timelapse Recording
Yes vs With optional app creative shooting
Focal Length - Tele
360mm vs 70mm 290 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom
15x vs 2.9x more flexible focal coverage
Viewfinder Resolution
2330k dot vs 1440k dot 61% higher resolution
Max Video Resolution
3840 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080 Higher Resolution Video
4K Photo Mode
Yes vs No Extract 8MP photos from 4K Video
Bluetooth
Yes vs No Connect your camera to other devices via Blueetooth
Focus Bracketing
Yes vs No Take multiple photos shifting focus point
Focus Stacking
Yes vs No Stacks photos in-camera to maximize depth of field
Post Focus Mode
Yes vs No Change focus point after taking a shot


Reasons to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III over Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200
LCD Screen
Tilting vs Fixed Type Flexible shooting positions
Viewfinder Magnification
0.59x vs 0.53x Larger Viewfinder
Weight
290 g vs 340 g 50 g lighter
Max Aperture - Wide
1.80 vs 3.30 faster lens at wide
Max Aperture - Tele
2.80 vs 6.40 faster lens at tele
Built-in ND Filter
3.0-stops vs No Use larger aperture under strong light
NFC Connection
Yes vs No Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices

Common Strengths of Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
Wireless Connection
Yes vs Yes Better connectivity
Image Stabilization
Optical vs Optical Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes Useful in low-light
Viewfinder
Yes (Electronic) vs Yes (Electronic) Better framing and control
RAW Support
Yes vs Yes Better image quality
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs Yes very handy for portraits
Max Resolution
20 MP vs 20 MP Bigger prints and more details
LCD Screen Resolution
1.240k dots vs 1.229k dots High resolution screens
Continuous Shooting
10.0fps vs 10.0fps Fast shooting speeds
Manual Focusing
Yes vs Yes both have manual focusing modes
Manual Exposure
Yes vs Yes better exposure control
Focal Length - Wide
24mm vs 24mm Very good wide angle coverage
AE Bracketing
Yes vs Yes Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Smartphone Remote
Yes vs Yes Remote control your camera with a smartphone
Common Weaknesses of Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
External Flash Shoe
No vs No Not suitable for flash photography
Environmental Sealing
No vs No not suitable for tough conditions
Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony RX100 III: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Panasonic ZS200 has external dimensions of 111 x 66 x 45 mm (4.37 x 2.6 x 1.77″) and weighs 340 g (0.75 lb / 11.99 oz) (including batteries). Sony RX100 III has external dimensions of 102 x 58 x 41 mm (4.02 x 2.28 x 1.61″) and weighs 290 g (0.64 lb / 10.23 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III. Sony RX100 III is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 9mm narrower, 8mm shorter and 4mm thinner than Panasonic ZS200.

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony RX100 III Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III.

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony RX100 III Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III.
Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony RX100 III Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Sony RX100 III is significantly lighter (50g ) than the Panasonic ZS200 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

ZS200
RX100 III
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

ZS200
RX100 III
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 (Lumix DC-TZ200) nor Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3".

On the other hand, Sony RX100 III features a Tilting screen where you can change the angle of the screen to make it easier to shoot from waist or over the head levels whereas the Panasonic ZS200 has a fixed type screen which provides less flexibility in shooting positions compared to RX100 III.
Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony RX100 III: Sensor Comparison

Both Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III have 1-inch sized 20.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.

Below you can see the ZS200 and RX100 III sensor size comparison.

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony RX100 III Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III Cameras


Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III have sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony RX100 III Lens Specs Comparison

Panasonic ZS200 features a 24-360 mm F3.3-6.4 15x zoom lens whereas Sony RX100 III features a 24-70 mm F1.8-2.8 2.9x zoom lens.

Both cameras have a wide angle coverage of 24mm. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f1.80, Sony RX100 III is faster than Panasonic ZS200 at this focal length. On the tele end, Panasonic ZS200 has 290mm longer reach than the Sony RX100 III. However, with a max aperture of f2.80, Sony RX100 III is faster at tele end.

Wide Coverage

Large Sensor Compact Cameras

ZS200
RX100 III
Widest - Canon G1 X II
Average
Telezoom

Large Sensor Compact Cameras

ZS200
RX100 III
Longest - Panasonic ZS200
Average
Max Aperture at Tele

Large Sensor Compact Cameras

ZS200
RX100 III
Fastest - Leica Q
Average
Max Aperture at Wide

Large Sensor Compact Cameras

ZS200
RX100 III
Fastest - Panasonic LX10
Average
What types of Photography are Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Panasonic ZS200 for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE

Sony RX100 III for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
No External Flash Shoe
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
No External Flash Shoe
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Panasonic ZS200 for Street Photography

EXCELLENT

Sony RX100 III for Street Photography

EXCELLENT
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Read the details
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
Fast Lens at Wide: f1.80
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Read the details

Panasonic ZS200 for Sports Photography

AVERAGE

Sony RX100 III for Sports Photography

AVERAGE
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
49 Focus Points
Wireless Connection
360 mm Tele Lens
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No External Flash Shoe
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Slow Lens at Tele: f6.40
Read the details
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
25 Focus Points
Wireless Connection
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No External Flash Shoe
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
70 mm Tele Lens
Read the details

Panasonic ZS200 for Daily Photography

GOOD

Sony RX100 III for Daily Photography

GOOD
RAW shooting capability
Compact Body
15.0X Optical Zoom
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
340g
Body Thickness 45mm
Read the details
RAW shooting capability
Compact Body
290g
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Body Thickness 41mm
2.9X Optical Zoom
Read the details

Panasonic ZS200 for Landscape Photography

AVERAGE

Sony RX100 III for Landscape Photography

AVERAGE
Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
RAW shooting capability
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony RX100 III: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Panasonic ZS200 and Sony RX100 III scores compare:

Panasonic ZS200
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #22 out of 61 in Large Sensor Compact cameras
Ranked #226 out of 1225 in all Cameras
Sony RX100 III
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #34 out of 61 in Large sensor compact cameras
Ranked #271 out of 1225 in all Cameras

Panasonic ZS200 is the overall winner of this comparison. It has a higher Overall Score and beats Sony RX100 III in all criteria except one: Portability. But the size difference between these cameras are negligible in real world so it is not a big disadvantage for Panasonic ZS200.

Panasonic ZS200
Panasonic ZS200
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Sony RX100 III
Sony RX100 III
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Sony RX100 III vs Panasonic ZS200 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
Brand Panasonic Sony
Announced 2018-02-13 2014-05-15
Body Type Large Sensor Compact Large sensor compact
Sensor
Type MOS BSI-CMOS
Size 1-inch 1-inch
Dimensions 13.2 x 8.8 mm 13.2 x 8.8 mm
Area 116.16mm2 116.16mm2
Megapixels 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Max Resolution 5472 x 3648 5472 x 3648
Max Native Light sensitivity 12,800 ISO 12,800 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity 25600 ISO -
Min Native Light sensitivity 125 ISO 125 ISO
Min Boosted Light Sensitivity 80 ISO -
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 49 25
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens Focal Range 24-360 mm (15x) 24-70 mm (2.9x)
Max Aperture F3.3-6.4 F1.8-2.8
Macro Focus Range 5cm 5cm
Screen
Type Fixed type Tilting
Size 3" 3
Resolution 1,240k dots 1,229k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Resolution 2,330k dots 1,440k dots
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.53x 0.59x
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/2000s 1/2000s
Max Electronic Shutter 1/16000s n/a
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization Optical Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 6.80 m (at Auto ISO) n/a
Max Flash Sync n/a 1/2000s
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 10.0 fps 10.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 1920 x 1080
Video Formats MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity Built-In Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 340g 290g
Dimensions 111 x 66 x 45mm 102 x 58 x 41mm
Battery Life 370 shots 320 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording With Downloadable App
GPS None None
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score not tested 67
DxO Color Depth not tested 22.4
DxO Dynamic Range not tested 12.3
DxO Low Light ISO not tested 495
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