Panasonic ZS3 vs FujiFilm S2500HD Comparison

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Panasonic ZS3

10 MP | 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) CCD Sensor

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FujiFilm S2500HD

12 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD Sensor

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Panasonic ZS3 vs FujiFilm S2500HD Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing ZS3 and S2500HD, two Small Sensor Superzoom cameras from Panasonic and FujiFilm. Both cameras have 1/2.3-inch sensors but Panasonic ZS3 has a 10.0 MP and FujiFilm S2500HD has a 12.0 MP resolution. Panasonic ZS3 was introduced to market in May 2009 and FujiFilm S2500HD was launched in July 2010. There is 14 months difference between ZS3 and S2500HD so we don't expect to see a huge technology difference between these two cameras but it would still give an advantage to younger S2500HD, especially in sensor tech.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2009-05-14

10MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor

ISO 80 - 6400

25-300 mm F3.3-4.9 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

2 fps continuous shooting

HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution

229g. 103 x 60 x 33 mm

Also known as Lumix DMC-TZ7

FujiFilm S2500HD Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2010-07-06

12MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor

ISO 100 - 1600 ( expands to 3200)

28-504 mm F3.1-5.6 Zoom Lens

Sensor-shift Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

Electronic viewfinder

1 fps continuous shooting

HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution

337g. 110 x 73 x 81 mm

Also known as FinePix S2600HD

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 over FujiFilm FinePix S2500HD

Max ISO	6.400 vs 1.600	300% higher Max ISO
LCD Screen Resolution	460k dots vs 230k dots	100% higher resolution screen
Continuous Shooting	2.0fps vs 1.0fps	1 fps faster
Weight	229 g vs 337 g	108 g lighter
Focal Length - Wide	25mm vs 28mm	3 mm wider coverage
Max Aperture - Tele	4.90 vs 5.60	faster lens at tele
Flash Coverage	5.3m vs 4.4m	0.9m longer range

Reasons to choose FujiFilm FinePix S2500HD over Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3

Viewfinder	Electronic vs None	Better framing and control
Max Sensor Resolution	12 MP vs 10 MP	19% more pixels
Manual Exposure	Yes vs No	better exposure control
Focal Length - Tele	504mm vs 300mm	204 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom	18× vs 12×	more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide	3.10 vs 3.30	faster lens at wide

Common Strengths of Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 and FujiFilm FinePix S2500HD

Image Stabilization	Optical vs Sensor-shift	Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash	Yes vs Yes	Useful in low-light
Focal Length - Tele	300mm vs 504mm	Very good Telezoom

Common Weaknesses of Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 and FujiFilm FinePix S2500HD

Fixed Screen	Fixed Type vs No	No flexible viewing angles
External Flash Shoe	No vs No	Not suitable for flash photography
RAW Support	No vs No	Lower image quality
LCD Screen Resolution	460k dots vs 230k dots	Low resolution screens
Continuous Shooting	2.0fps vs 1.0fps	Slow shooting speeds
Manual Focusing	No vs No	No manual focusing modes
Environmental Sealing	No vs No	not suitable for tough conditions

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Panasonic ZS3 vs FujiFilm S2500HD: 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 ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Panasonic ZS3 has external dimensions of 103 x 60 x 33 mm (4.06 x 2.36 x 1.3″) and weighs 229 g (0.50 lb / 8.08 oz) (including batteries). FujiFilm S2500HD has external dimensions of 110 x 73 x 81 mm (4.33 x 2.89 x 3.19″) and weighs 337 g (0.74 lb / 11.89 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD. Panasonic ZS3 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 7mm narrower, 13mm shorter and 48mm thinner than FujiFilm S2500HD.

Comparison image of Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD.

Comparison image of Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD.

Top View Comparison image of Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Panasonic ZS3 is significantly lighter (108g ) than the FujiFilm S2500HD which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Weight Comparison

Bridge Cameras

ZS3

S2500HD

Min

Average

Max

Thickness Comparison

Bridge Cameras

ZS3

S2500HD

Min

Average

Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 (Lumix DMC-TZ7) nor FujiFilm FinePix S2500HD (FinePix S2600HD) 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
Top Bridge Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3".

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.

Panasonic ZS3 vs FujiFilm S2500HD: Sensor Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 has a 10.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.08 x 4.56 mm ) sized CCD sensor . On the other hand, FujiFilm S2500HD has a 12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor .

Below you can see the ZS3 and S2500HD sensor size comparison.

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD Cameras

Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD have almost the same sensor size so none of them has any significant advantage over other in providing control over depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

Panasonic ZS3 vs FujiFilm S2500HD Lens Specs Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 features a 25-300 mm F3.3-4.9 12× zoom lens whereas FujiFilm S2500HD features a 28-504 mm F3.1-5.6 18× zoom lens.

Panasonic ZS3 has 3mm wider coverage than the FujiFilm S2500HD. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f3.10, FujiFilm S2500HD is faster at widest end. On the tele end, FujiFilm S2500HD has 204mm longer telezoom reach than the Panasonic ZS3. However, with a max aperture of f4.90, Panasonic ZS3 is faster at widest end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

ZS3

S2500HD

Widest - Ricoh WG-M1

Average

Telezoom

DSLR-Like Cameras

ZS3

S2500HD

Longest - Canon SX520 HS

Average

Max Aperture at Tele

DSLR-Like Cameras

ZS3

S2500HD

Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV

Average

Max Aperture at Wide

DSLR-Like Cameras

ZS3

S2500HD

Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6

Average

What types of Photography are Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD Good for?

In this section, we rank and compare Panasonic ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD 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 ZS3 for Portrait Photography

POOR

FujiFilm S2500HD for Portrait Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor
Very Low Resolution Sensor: 10.0MP
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Panasonic ZS3 for Street Photography

AVERAGE

FujiFilm S2500HD for Street Photography

GOOD

Image Stabilization
Small Body
Live-view
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Panasonic ZS3 for Sports Photography

POOR

FujiFilm S2500HD for Sports Photography

AVERAGE

Image Stabilization
11 Focus Points
300 mm Tele Lens
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 2.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Exposure Mode
504 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Manual Focus Mode
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Focus Points
Read the details

Panasonic ZS3 for Daily Photography

GOOD

FujiFilm S2500HD for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Compact Body
229g
12.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

18.0X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
337g
Body Thickness 81mm
Read the details

Panasonic ZS3 for Landscape Photography

POOR

FujiFilm S2500HD for Landscape Photography

POOR

25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor
Very Low Resolution Sensor: 10.0MP
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Manual Exposure Mode
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Panasonic ZS3 vs FujiFilm S2500HD: 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 ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD, 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 ZS3 and FujiFilm S2500HD scores compare:

Panasonic ZS3

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #342 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #996 out of 1223 in all Cameras

FujiFilm S2500HD

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #98 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked #773 out of 1223 in all Cameras

FujiFilm S2500HD is the overall winner of this comparison. It has a higher Overall Score and beats Panasonic ZS3 in all criteria except one: Portability.
If small size and light body is a big priority for you, choose Panasonic ZS3. Otherwise, FujiFilm S2500HD is the better camera overall.

FujiFilm S2500HD vs Panasonic ZS3 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3	FujiFilm FinePix S2500HD
Brand	Panasonic	FujiFilm
Announced	2009-05-14	2010-07-06
Body Type	Compact	SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor
Type	CCD	CCD
Size	1/2.3-inch	1/2.3-inch
Dimensions	6.08 x 4.56 mm	6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area	27.72mm²	28.07mm²
Megapixels	10 megapixels	12 megapixels
Max Resolution	3648 x 2736	4000 x 3000
Max Native Light sensitivity	6,400 ISO	1,600 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity	-	3200 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity	80 ISO	100 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	11	n/a
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount	fixed lens	fixed lens
Lens Focal Range	25-300 mm (12×)	28-504 mm (18×)
Max Aperture	F3.3-4.9	F3.1-5.6
Macro Focus Range	3cm	2cm
Screen
Type	Fixed type	Fixed type
Size	3"	3"
Resolution	460k dots	230k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	None	Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage	n/a	99%
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter	1/2000s	1/2000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization	Optical	Sensor-shift
Built-in Flash
Flash Range	5.30 m (Auto ISO)	4.40 m
Max Flash Sync	n/a	s
External Flash
Continuous Shooting	2.0 fps	1.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution	1280 x 720	1280 x 720
Video Formats	AVCHD Lite	Motion JPEG
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity	None	None
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight	229g	337g
Dimensions	103 x 60 x 33mm	110 x 73 x 81mm
Battery Life	n/a	n/a
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS	None	None
DxO Sensor Scores
	Report a correction	Report a correction