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Nikon D3S vs Panasonic ZS70

The Nikon D3S and the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70 (labelled Panasonic TZ90 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in October 2009 and April 2017. The D3S is a DSLR, while the ZS70 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a full frame (D3S) and a 1/2.3-inch (ZS70) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 12.1 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 20.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D3S
versus
Panasonic ZS70
Nikon D3S   Panasonic ZS70
Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
Nikon F mount lenses 24-720mm f/3.3-6.4
12.1 MP – Full Frame sensor 20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
720/24p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 200-12,800 (100 - 102,400) ISO 80-3,200 (80 - 6,400)
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (1166k dots)
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting touchscreen
11 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
4200 shots per battery charge380 shots per battery charge
160 x 157 x 88 mm, 1240 g 112 x 67 x 41 mm, 322 g
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Check D3S offers at
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Check ZS70 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D3S and the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Nikon D3S and the Panasonic ZS70. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The ZS70 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the D3S is only available in black.

Size Nikon D3S vs Panasonic ZS70
Compare D3S versus ZS70 top
Comparison D3S or ZS70 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic ZS70 is considerably smaller (70 percent) than the Nikon D3S. It is worth mentioning in this context that the D3S is splash and dust resistant, while the ZS70 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the ZS70 has a lens built in, whereas the D3S is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the D3S and their specifications in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the D3S gets 4200 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL4a battery, while the ZS70 can take 380 images on a single charge of its Panasonic DMW-BLG10 power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the D3S has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. The power pack in the ZS70 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D3S 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1240 g 4200 Y Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic ZS70 112 mm 67 mm 41 mm 322 g 380 n Apr 2017 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX730 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 300 g 250 n Apr 2017 399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX720 110 mm 64 mm 36 mm 270 g 250 n Feb 2016 379ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1230 g 1500 Y Oct 2009 4,999ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1D Mark III 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1155 g 2200 Y Feb 2007 4,499ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D4S 160 mm 157 mm 91 mm 1350 g 3020 Y Feb 2014 6,499ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D4 160 mm 157 mm 91 mm 1340 g 2600 Y Jan 2012 5,999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D3X 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1260 g 4400 Y Dec 2008 7,999ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D3 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1300 g 4300 Y Aug 2007 4,999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D2Xs 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic ZS80 112 mm 69 mm 42 mm 327 g 380 n Feb 2019 449ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic FZ80 130 mm 94 mm 119 mm 616 g 330 n Jan 2017 399ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic FZ150 124 mm 82 mm 92 mm 528 g 410 n Aug 2011 499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The ZS70 was launched at a lower price than the D3S, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D3S features a full frame sensor and the Panasonic ZS70 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the ZS70 is 97 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 5.6. The sensor in the D3S has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the ZS70 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Nikon D3S and Panasonic ZS70 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the ZS70 offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 12.1 MP of the D3S. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.18μm versus 8.43μm for the D3S). However, it should be noted that the ZS70 is much more recent (by 7 years and 6 months) than the D3S, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the ZS70 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Panasonic ZS70 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the ZS70 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D3S are 21.3 x 14.2 inches or 54.1 x 36 cm for good quality, 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.2 x 28.8 cm for very good quality, and 14.2 x 9.4 inches or 36 x 24 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D3S has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-102400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70 are ISO 80 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-6400.

In terms of underlying technology, the D3S is build around a CMOS sensor, while the ZS70 uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D3S versus ZS70 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under review, the D3S provides substantially higher image quality than the ZS70, with an overall score that is 46 points higher. This advantage is based on 4.4 bits higher color depth, 1.4 EV in additional dynamic range, and 4.9 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D3S Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832720/24p23.512.0325382
2.
 
Panasonic ZS70 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p19.110.610636
3.
 
Canon SX730 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.511.992450
4.
 
Canon SX720 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.311.881748
5.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV APS-H 16.0 4896 32641080/30p22.812.0132074
6.
 
Canon 1D Mark III APS-H 10.1 3888 2592none22.711.7107871
7.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
8.
 
Nikon D4S Full Frame 16.2 4928 32801080/60p24.413.3307489
9.
 
Nikon D4 Full Frame 16.2 4928 32801080/30p24.713.1296589
10.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
11.
 
Nikon D3X Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none24.713.7199288
12.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
13.
 
Nikon D3 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2229081
14.
 
Nikon D2Xs APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.210.948959
15.
 
Panasonic ZS80 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.712.2110352
16.
 
Panasonic FZ80 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.511.990049
17.
 
Panasonic FZ150 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p19.410.913240
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the ZS70 provides a better video resolution than the D3S. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Nikon is limited to 720/24p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the ZS70 has an electronic viewfinder (1166k dots), while the D3S has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the D3S has a higher magnification than the one of the ZS70 (0.70x vs 0.46x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D3S and Panasonic ZS70 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D3Soptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
2.
 
Panasonic ZS701166 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX730none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SX720none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon 1D Mark IVoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
6.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIoptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
7.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
8.
 
Nikon D4Soptical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
9.
 
Nikon D4optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
10.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D3Xoptical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
12.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D3optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
14.
 
Nikon D2Xsoptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
15.
 
Panasonic ZS802330 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Panasonic FZ801166 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Panasonic FZ150202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 12.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One feature that is present on the D3S, but is missing on the ZS70 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The ZS70 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the D3S does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the ZS70 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Nikon D3S has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The D3S writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the ZS70 uses SDXC cards. The D3S features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the ZS70 only has one slot.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D3S and Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D3SYstereo / ---mini2.0---
2.
 
Panasonic ZS70-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
3.
 
Canon SX730-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
4.
 
Canon SX720-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon 1D Mark IVYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
6.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIY- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
8.
 
Nikon D4SYmono / monoYYmini2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D4Ymono / monoYYmicro2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D3XY- / ---mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
13.
 
Nikon D3Y- / ---mini2.0---
14.
 
Nikon D2XsY- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Panasonic ZS80-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
16.
 
Panasonic FZ80Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
17.
 
Panasonic FZ150Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
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It is notable that the D3S has a hotshoe, while the ZS70 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D3S (unlike the ZS70) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the D3S and the ZS70 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D3S was replaced by the Nikon D4, while the ZS70 was followed by the Panasonic ZS80. Further information on the features and operation of the D3S and ZS70 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D3S Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic ZS70 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Nikon D3S better than the Panasonic ZS70 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Arguments in favor of the Nikon D3S:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (46 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (4.4 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (1.4 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (4.9 stops ISO advantage).
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.46x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
  • More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (4200 versus 380) on a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in October 2009).

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Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (20.2 vs 12.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 27%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 720/24p).
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 921k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the D3S requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (112x67mm vs 160x157mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the D3S).
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • More modern: Reflects 7 years and 6 months of technical progress since the D3S launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the match-up finishes in a tie (18 points each). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D3S 18:18 ZS70

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D3S and the Panasonic ZS70 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D3S or the ZS70 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D3S5/5....89/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic ZS70..+ +....4/54/5 Apr 2017 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX730..+....4/54/5 Apr 2017 399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX720..+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2016 379ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV5/5....89/100.... Oct 2009 4,999ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1D Mark III............ Feb 2007 4,499ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D4S5/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2014 6,499ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D4........4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2012 5,999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D3X......86/1004/55/5 Dec 2008 7,999ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D3......+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 4,999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D2Xs............ Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic ZS80..+ +....4.5/5.. Feb 2019 449ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic FZ80..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2017 399ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic FZ1503/5+ +..76/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2011 499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Check D3S offers at
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Check ZS70 offers at
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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Nikon D3S vs Panasonic ZS70

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon D3S Panasonic ZS70
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses 24-720mm f/3.3-6.4
    Launch Date October 2009 April 2017
    Launch Price USD 5,199 USD 449
    Sensor Specs Nikon D3S Panasonic ZS70
    Sensor Technology CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 36.0 x 23.9 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 860.4 mm2 28.0735 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.2 mm 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 12.1 Megapixels 20.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4256 x 2832 pixels 5184 x 3888 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 8.43 μm 1.18 μm
    Pixel Density 1.40 MP/cm2 71.80 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 720/24p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 12,800 ISO 80 - 3,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 102,400 ISO 80 - 6,400 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED Venus
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 82 36
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.5 19.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.0 10.6
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 3253 106
    Screen Specs Nikon D3S Panasonic ZS70
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x 0.46x
    Viewfinder Resolution 1166k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D3S Panasonic ZS70
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 11 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/16000s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D3S Panasonic ZS70
    External Flash Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Body Specs Nikon D3S Panasonic ZS70
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL4a Panasonic DMW-BLG10
    Battery Life (CIPA)4200 shots per charge380 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88 mm
    (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.5 in)
    112 x 67 x 41 mm
    (4.4 x 2.6 x 1.6 in)
    Camera Weight 1240 g (43.7 oz) 322 g (11.4 oz)
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