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Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
alaScore 88

270 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 270 reviews of Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The average rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. People are impressed by the image quality and performance. The portability and price also get good feedback, whereas there are mixed opinions on the sensor and shutter. Many are critical about the viewfinder.

usability, price, portability, performance, image quality

viewfinder

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 88/100 = Very good quality.

See all Panasonic Digital Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 270 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (53% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (34% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (9% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (91%)Show negative (9%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (88%)Show negative (12%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (95%)Show negative (5%)(Show all)
performance
  Show positive (99%)Show negative (1%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (70%)Show negative (30%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (96%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (97%)Show negative (3%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (54%)Show negative (46%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
flash
  Show positive (79%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (89%)Show negative (11%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (78%)Show negative (22%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (87%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)
contrast
  Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)
shutter
  Show positive (46%)Show negative (54%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (92%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)
lens
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
glare
  Show positive (89%)Show negative (11%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
low-light
  Show positive (57%)Show negative (43%)(Show all)
focus
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
storage
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
stabilizer
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
sensor
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
exposure
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 251 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 200 of 251 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (9)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 92 user reviews of Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the size and image quality. The portability and price are also appreciated, but some have doubts about the viewfinder. There are some mixed comments about the screen.

usability, price, portability, image quality, size

viewfinder

97% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 98 user reviews of Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the image quality and price. The performance and portability also get good feedback. There are mixed views on the storage and memory, and some have doubts about the shutter.

usability, portability, performance, price, image quality

shutter

92% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Jim Fisher (pcmag.com)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3

 

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 is a capable compact camera with a high-quality LCD, rechargeable battery, and a wide-angle 4x zoom lens. It doesn't produce the sharpest images in its class, but, overall, it leads the pack in the under-$150 cameras we've...

Strong image quality. Large LCD. Optical image stabilization. Wide-angle 4x zoom lens.

No mode select dial. Cannot zoom when recording video. Smear effect appears in HD video.

Performance and Conclusions The S3 scored well on speed tests. It can boot and take a photo in about 1.9 seconds, delays about 1.8 seconds between shots, and experiences 0.4 second of shutter lag. This compares favorably with the Canon PowerShot A800...

Sep, 2011
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Expert review by : William Chambers (steves-digicams.com)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Preview

 

Panasonic has rolled out an all new line of "Smart" and intuitive compact digicams, with the all new S-series of Lumix digital cameras. The flagship of this new series is the DMC-S3, which is a tiny 14-megapixel digital camera that is packed with easy...

Jan, 2011
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Expert review by : Mark Goldstein (photographyblog.com)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Review

 

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 is the first model in a new range of simple, stylish and smart digital compact cameras aimed at beginners. The 14.1 megapixel Panasonic S3 features a 28mm wide-angle 4x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer,...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 is a perfectly competent digital camera for beginners that won't break the bank, with the added bonuses of a stylish design, responsive operation and 720p movies. Sure, it doesn't have too many bells and whistles, but that...

Apr, 2011
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Expert review by (consumersearch.com)

Best of the cheapest cameras

 

Very few $100 digital cameras earn any recommendations at all from expert testers, but the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 wins PCMag.com's cheap-camera comparison and impresses critics at PhotographyBlog.com, CNET (U.K.) and elsewhere. It boasts the...

Small and very light, easy to use, good image quality overall, wide-angle, 4x zoom lens, optical image stabilizer to reduce shake

Feels cheap to some testers, mixed reviews for HD video quality, noisy low-light images, no optical zoom while shooting video

Nov, 2011
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Expert review by : Pop Photo (popphoto.com)

Canon Powershot S3 IS, Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H5, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7, and Kodak Easyshare Z612

 

Here's your assignment: Find yourself a nice 400mm f/3.5 lens, with image stabilization. While you're at it, make it a zoom--say, 35-420mm. Get a 6MP (or better) digital camera to go along with it, with through-the-lens viewing. Got all that? Now do it...

Aug, 2011
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Expert review by (expertreviews.co.uk)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 review

 

This soap-shaped camera looks smarter than its £102 price tag might suggest. Build quality isn't as substantial as we'd like though, with the plastic front panel flexing a little under pressure.

Its construction feels a little flimsy but otherwise this is a dependable camera at a very reasonable price.

May, 2011
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Expert review by : Alexandra Savvides (cnet.com.au)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3

 

Lightweight and compact ; Decent image quality for the price ; Simple, intuitive controls ; Best-in-class shooting performance

HD video quality is average ; A few too many megapixels for its own good ; Looks cheap, feels cheap

Keep your photo quality expectations in check and you'll enjoy using the Lumix S3, even if it does look like it could have been moulded out of Play-Doh.

Apr, 2011
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Expert review by : Luke Carey (whatdigitalcamera.com)

Panasonic LUMIX S3 review

 

See what we think of the Panasonic LUMIX S3 in our What Digital Camera review

Stylish design, easy to use

Noise is an issue at higher ISOs

Nov, 2011
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Expert review by (cameras.co.uk)

Panasonic DMC S3

 

The Panasonic Lumix DMC S3 is an excellent value for money pocket camera. It is very hard to beat when compared alongside its direct rivals. Picture quality and features have an edge over many of its competitors while the rapid response times are also...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC S3 is an excellent value for money pocket camera. It is very hard to beat when compared alongside its direct rivals. Picture quality and features have an edge over many of its competitors while the rapid response times are also...

May, 2011
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Expert review by : Claire Gillo (digicambuyer.co.uk)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3

 

Panasonic Lumix S3 : A small compact with large-resolution sensor

The budget price of the Panasonic DMC-S3 is easily its best feature; however, image quality has been compromised and in low light the noise is a big problem

Apr, 2011
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