• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic DMC-ZS3 advantages over Canon SD980 IS

  • More telephoto lens reach
    300 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.8 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SD980 IS advantages over Panasonic DMC-ZS3

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Fast startup
    ~1.70 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 32 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    152g vs 219g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.46 vs 0.67 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Panasonic DMC-ZS3
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Faster shutter
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Panasonic DMC-ZS3
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZS1S

Panasonic DMC-ZS3
Panasonic DMC-ZS1S
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • HDMI out
  • $300
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-ZS1S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Panasonic DMC-ZS3
Panasonic DMC-ZS7
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-ZS7
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZS5

Panasonic DMC-ZS3
Panasonic DMC-ZS5
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-ZS5
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
Compare Other Cameras?