• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • 18.00mm - 50.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-S3 advantages over Nikon DL18-50

  • Less expensive
    $130 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    112 mm vs 50 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    20 mm vs 57 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    117g vs 365g
    Lighter weight

Nikon DL18-50 advantages over Panasonic DMC-S3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.36 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.1
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1037k 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
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    18 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    120 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S3000

Panasonic DMC-S3
Nikon S3000
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
Nikon DL18-50
Nikon S3000
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Panasonic DMC-S1

Panasonic DMC-S3
Panasonic DMC-S1
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • $120
  • 1/2.33 inch
Nikon DL18-50
Panasonic DMC-S1
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $120
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Fujifilm JV200

Panasonic DMC-S3
Fujifilm JV200
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $110
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Nikon DL18-50
Fujifilm JV200
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $110
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Pentax RS1500

Panasonic DMC-S3
Pentax RS1500
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
Nikon DL18-50
Pentax RS1500
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FH7

Panasonic DMC-S3
Panasonic DMC-FH7
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Longer exposure
Nikon DL18-50
Panasonic DMC-FH7
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
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