• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 60.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 550.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-LX3 advantages over Nikon S9500

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.63 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.98 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon S9500 advantages over Panasonic DMC-LX3

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    550 mm vs 60 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.5 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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The Competition

Compared to Canon S90

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Canon S90
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-LX3 vs Canon S90

Nikon S9500
Canon S90
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Canon S90

Compared to Panasonic LX5

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Panasonic LX5
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic DMC-LX3 vs Panasonic LX5

Nikon S9500
Panasonic LX5
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LX5

Compared to Canon S95

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Canon S95
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-LX3 vs Canon S95

Nikon S9500
Canon S95
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Canon S95

Compared to Panasonic ZS30

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Panasonic ZS30
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic DMC-LX3 vs Panasonic ZS30

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS30
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS30

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Panasonic ZS25
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-LX3 vs Panasonic ZS25

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS25
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS25

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