• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 550.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic DMC-ZR3 advantages over Nikon S9500

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S9500 advantages over Panasonic DMC-ZR3

  • 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 200 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 230k 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 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.5 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    5 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic DMC-ZR3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S9500
Nikon S9500

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZR1

Panasonic DMC-ZR3
Panasonic DMC-ZR1
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZR3 vs Panasonic DMC-ZR1

Nikon S9500
Panasonic DMC-ZR1
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic DMC-ZR1

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FH20

Panasonic DMC-ZR3
Panasonic DMC-FH20
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Less shutter lag
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZR3 vs Panasonic DMC-FH20

Nikon S9500
Panasonic DMC-FH20
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic DMC-FH20

Compared to Samsung CL80

Panasonic DMC-ZR3
Samsung CL80
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Wider angle lens
  • $248
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZR3 vs Samsung CL80

Nikon S9500
Samsung CL80
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $248
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Samsung CL80

Compared to Panasonic ZS30

Panasonic DMC-ZR3
Panasonic ZS30
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZR3 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-ZR3
Panasonic ZS25
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZR3 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

Compare Other Cameras?