-
Introduction
-
01.Product Tour
-
02.Color
-
03.Noise
-
04.Resolution
-
05.Video
-
06.Sample Photos
-
07.Playback
-
08.Hardware
-
09.Controls
-
10.Design & Handling
-
11.Kodak Z950 Comparison
-
12.Nikon L100 Comparison
-
13.Canon SX120 Comparison
-
14.Conclusion
-
15.Photo Gallery
-
16.Comments
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Previous: Page 2
ColorNext: Page 4
ResolutionNoise
Noise is at low ISO settings, yet does get significantly higher at ISO 800 and above.
Noise (8.88)
The Panasonic ZS3 had some interesting results in our tests on the amount of noise in images; we found tat the noise was low until an ISO level of 400, but it quickly climbed above that to rather high levels. You can see the results in the graph below; the lines are level until ISO 400, where they start to climb rapidly. The two lines represent the two light levels that we test at: 3000 lux (about the same as outdoors on a cloudy day) and60 lux (about the same amount of light as you would get from indoor lighting). More on how we test noise.
As a general conclusion, the ZS3 performs well at ISO levels of up to 800. However, we would recommend that you avoid using the ISO 1600 setting unless it is absolutely necessary: as you can see from the samples below and those on our sample photos page, the images it captures at this ISO level are very noisy, and this will be easily visible in all images.
| Noise Comparisons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 80 | ISO 400 | ISO 800 | ISO 1600 | |
| 60 Lux |  |
 |
 |
 |
| 3000 Lux |  |
 |
 |
 |
When we compared the performance of the ZS3 to other cameras, we found that it performs comparably at the lower ISO levels, but the ISO 1600 noise is significantly higher than the other cameras.
ISO (7.00)
The ZS3 has an ISO range in most modes of 80 to 1600, but you have a fair amount of control over how this range is used. The ZS3 offers several ISO modes that restrict this range: ISOMAX400 uses 80 to 400, ISOMAX 800 uses 80 to 800 and ISOMAX1600 uses the entire range. Given the large amount of noise that the ISO 1600 setting involves, we would generally recommend that you set this to ISOMAX800.
For shooting in lower light, a high sensitivity mode is available which expands this range to 1600 to 6400. However, this reduces the resolution of the camera to 3 megapixels, and images taken in this mode are rather noisy, so it should only be used when it is absolutely required. See the sample photos page for examples.
| ISO Comparisons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS |
| ISO Low | |||
|
ISO 80
 |
ISO 100
 |
ISO 80
 |
ISO 80
 |
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS |
| ISO 200 | |||
 |
 |
|
 |
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS |
| ISO 400 | |||
 |
 |
|
 |
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS |
| ISO 800 | |||
 |
 |
|
 |
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS |
| ISO 1600 | |||
 |
 |
|
 |
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS |
NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.
Shop for the Panasonic DMC-ZS3
Latest News
& Reviews
-
10-Feb-2012
Nikon Coolpix L810 First Impressions Review
Nikon’s L810 is a AA-powered ultrazoom that somehow manages 26x for under $300. Some cost-cutting efforts have certainly been made, and controls are quite simplified, but for the right user this could be an ideal camera. Read More...
-
10-Feb-2012
Canon PowerShot A810 First Impressions Review
Designed for absolute novice point-and-shooters, the $109 A810 holds up the bottom-end of the PowerShot lineup. Read More...
Top Rated Point & Shoots
-
$459.991Panasonic Lumix FZ150
Excellent image quality, speedy performance, and a great design add up to the best superzoom that has ever graced our labs. That distinction seems to change hands every week, but trust us when we say that the FZ150 is a truly great camera. Read full 16-part review
$459.99TypesAny Zoom3,5.13.1x to 5x Zoom5.1,105.1x to 9.9x Zoom10,10x & Larger ZoomAny Megapixels0,8< 8 Megapixels8,108 to 10 Megapixels10,> 10 Megapixels -
$378.892Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Canon's SX30 got a CMOS makeover that resulted in the SX40 HS, an impressive ultrazoom that captures beautiful shots in almost any scenario. Read full 16-part review
$378.89TypesAny Zoom3,5.13.1x to 5x Zoom5.1,105.1x to 9.9x Zoom10,10x & Larger ZoomAny Megapixels0,8< 8 Megapixels8,108 to 10 Megapixels10,> 10 Megapixels -
$427.953Sony Cyber-shot HX100V
This professionally-geared ultrazoom offers some of the best color accuracy we've ever seen. It's a shame the other scores weren't quite so strong. Read full 16-part review
$427.95TypesUltra-ZoomAny Zoom3,5.13.1x to 5x Zoom5.1,105.1x to 9.9x Zoom10,10x & Larger ZoomAny Megapixels0,8< 8 Megapixels8,108 to 10 Megapixels10,> 10 Megapixels16.8 MP -
$314.954Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
Panasonic resists the urge to cram more megapixels and more focal length into their latest ultrazoom. The FZ47 instead focuses on image quality and features, resulting in an incredibly strong camera that we loved shooting with. Read full 16-part review
$314.95TypesAny Zoom3,5.13.1x to 5x Zoom5.1,105.1x to 9.9x Zoom10,10x & Larger ZoomAny Megapixels0,8< 8 Megapixels8,108 to 10 Megapixels10,> 10 Megapixels -
$417.005Canon PowerShot S100
Canon's PowerShot S100 improves on the popular S95 and takes its place at the top of the point-and-shoot food chain. Read full 16-part review
$417.00TypesAny Zoom3,5.13.1x to 5x Zoom5.1,105.1x to 9.9x Zoom10,10x & Larger ZoomAny Megapixels0,8< 8 Megapixels8,108 to 10 Megapixels10,> 10 Megapixels
Features
-
DigitalCameraInfo New Year's Giveaway
Check back every day for the rest of 2011 to see what we’re adding to the grand prize package. It all starts with the Sony NEX-5N and ends with over $4000 in prizes! Read More...
-
DigitalCameraInfo.com 2011 Select Awards
After a year of tireless testing and deliberation, we’ve made our selections for the very best cameras of 2011. Read More...
(add your own)