The Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS3 is a compact and slim digital camera that packs a punch. With its 14.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor, Full HD video recording capabilities, and rapid autofocus, this camera is ready to capture your moments in stunning detail. It also boasts a modest 5x optical zoom with a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, allowing you to get closer to your subjects and achieve beautiful bokeh effects. With a price tag of £99, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS3 offers excellent value for its impressive features.
Panasonic Lumix XS3 Features
The Panasonic Lumix XS3 boasts an ultra-compact design, accompanied by convenient features such as a microSD slot and a lithium-ion battery. At the front of the camera, you’ll find a Lumix DC Vario lens offering a 5x optical zoom, which is equivalent to a 24mm wide-angle to 120mm in 35mm terms. Additionally, this lens incorporates mega optical image stabilization to ensure steady and blur-free shots.
Not only does this camera excel in photography, but it also allows you to record full HD videos and capture stunning panoramic photos. Moreover, it offers a range of creative effects that can be applied to both regular photos and panoramas.
On the rear side, there is a user-friendly 2.7-inch screen, providing a clear view of your shots. The Lumix XS3 is equipped with numerous scene modes and an intelligent Auto function, simplifying the camera’s operation for effortless use.
For portrait photography enthusiasts, this camera includes a built-in beauty re-touch feature. With this feature, you can easily enhance your portraits by softening the skin, adjusting foundation color, and even applying makeup effects to achieve the desired look.
| Key Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 14 megapixel MOS sensor |
| Optical Zoom Lens | 5x zoom (equivalent to 24-120mm) |
| Image Stabilization | Mega Optical Image Stabilisation |
| Screen | 2.7-inch display, 230k dot resolution |
| Video Recording | Full HD video at 25fps (mono sound) |
| Continuous Shooting (C-AF) | 2fps (full resolution) |
| Continuous Shooting with C-AF | 4.7fps (full resolution) |
| High-Speed Burst with Flash | Available at full resolution |
| Autofocus (AF) | Light speed AF |
| ISO Range | ISO100 – ISO3200 |
| Available Colors | Black or Red |
Panasonic Lumix XS3 Handling
Handling
Despite its compact size, the camera is equipped with a standard-sized tripod socket at the bottom. The battery and memory card compartment, which includes a MicroSD card slot, can also be found there. On the top, you’ll find the on/off button and shutter release. The rear of the camera features the zoom control, mode button, video button, a 4-way controller with a middle menu/set button, as well as play and quick (Q) menu/delete buttons. Additionally, the bottom of the camera houses the USB connection and AV-out, used for charging via a USB cable.
The mode button allows you to switch between various shooting modes such as iAuto, Normal Picture, Creative Control, Panoramic Shot, and Scene mode. During playback, you have the option to retouch photos, including auto retouch, beauty retouch, or creative retouch, using the same creative filters available in photo mode.
Menus
The menus are well-organized and feature built-in guidance that explains the purpose of each setting. The menus are divided into record, video, and setup menus, with additional playback options available when in playback mode. The Q. Menu button provides quick access to common settings on the screen, such as image size, white balance, ISO, and more, depending on the current mode.
Battery Life
The camera is powered by a compact 690mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which is typical for an ultra-compact camera of this size. According to the camera’s CIPA rating, a fully charged battery should be able to capture approximately 230 shots, which is also in line with other ultra-compact cameras. It is recommended to have a spare battery on hand for extended shooting sessions.
Speed
To evaluate the camera’s responsiveness, we conducted various tests, including the time it takes to power on and capture the first photo, shot-to-shot speed, and focusing speed. Multiple shots were taken, and the averages were calculated to ensure accurate and consistent results, enabling easy comparison with other cameras.
| Performance Metric | Time (in seconds) |
|---|---|
| Shutter Response | <0.05 |
| Wide – Focus / Shutter Response | 0.15 |
| Full Zoom – Focus / Shutter Response | 0.2 |
| Switch on Time to Taking a Photo | 1.45 |
| Shot to Shot without Flash | 0.8 |
| Shot to Shot with Flash | 1.1 |
| Continuous Shooting – JPEG | 4fps (4-5 shots before slow down) |
| Continuous Shooting – Flash | 2fps (5 shots) |
The camera offers various high-speed shooting modes, allowing you to capture the action with precision. With continuous autofocus at full resolution, you can shoot at either 2 or 4.7 frames per second (fps). Additionally, the camera provides a high-speed burst mode with a flash at full resolution. In high-speed burst mode, shooting at 3 megapixels, you can achieve an impressive speed of approximately 8-9 fps for up to 40 shots. The focus and shutter response is exceptionally fast, ensuring that you never miss a moment.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS3 Specifications
The Panasonic camera boasts a range of impressive features. The lens offers a maximum aperture of f/2.8 – f/6.9 and a 5x optical zoom, providing versatility in capturing different scenes. The image sensor has a resolution of 14.1 megapixels, with dimensions of 4320 pixels (width) and 3240 pixels (height). The camera utilizes a Live MOS sensor with a size of 1/2.33, measuring 6.16mm in width and 4.6mm in height. It supports multiple aspect ratios, including 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, and 1:1.
The camera features a 2.7-inch LCD monitor with a resolution of 230k, although it does not have a touch screen. When it comes to focusing, the minimum focus distance is 5cm, and the camera offers various autofocus modes such as spot, face detection, multi, and center.
In terms of exposure control, the camera has a range of shutter speeds from 1/1600 second to 60 seconds, with no bulb mode available. It offers exposure modes like program and scene modes, as well as different metering options such as multi-pattern. The ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 3200, and white balance can be set to auto, manual, outdoors/daylight, cloudy, incandescent, or shade. Exposure compensation of +/-2 is also available.
Shooting options include continuous shooting at 4.7 frames per second, allowing for capturing fast-paced action. The camera supports video recording, with video resolutions of 1280×720 HD 720p and 1920×1080 FullHD, both at 30 frames per second. However, stereo sound is not available during video recording, and optical zoom cannot be utilized while recording video.
Other notable features of the camera include image stabilization to minimize camera shake, a USB 2 interface for connectivity, and support for Micro SD and Micro SDHC memory cards. The camera is powered by a lithium-ion battery with a CIPA rating of 230 shots. The dimensions of the camera are 92.2mm in width, 54.4mm in height, and 18.5mm in depth, with a lightweight design weighing 89g. The box contents include a battery pack, AC adapter, USB cable, and hand strap.
Modern Alternatives to the Panasonic XS3 Camera
The Panasonic XS3 camera has been a reliable companion for photography enthusiasts with its compact size and impressive features. As technology continues to advance, it’s natural to seek out modern alternatives to the Panasonic XS3 camera.
- Sony RX100 VII:
The Sony RX100 VII is a powerhouse compact camera that rivals DSLRs in terms of image quality and performance. It boasts a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor, allowing for exceptional image clarity and low-light performance. With a versatile 24-200mm zoom lens, it offers a wide range of focal lengths for various shooting situations. The RX100 VII also excels in speed with its advanced autofocus system, high-speed continuous shooting, and real-time eye autofocus.
- Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III:
For vloggers and content creators, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a popular choice. It features a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor and a fast f/1.8-2.8 lens, providing excellent image quality and shallow depth of field. This camera is known for its exceptional video capabilities, offering 4K recording, live streaming, and a built-in microphone jack for enhanced audio quality. Its compact design and flip-up touchscreen make it ideal for capturing self-portraits and videos.
- Fujifilm X100V:
The Fujifilm X100V is a premium compact camera that combines classic design with modern features. It features a 26.1-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor and a fixed 23mm f/2 lens, providing exceptional image quality and a versatile focal length. The X100V offers advanced film simulation modes, allowing photographers to achieve stunning, film-like aesthetics. With its hybrid viewfinder and intuitive manual controls, it appeals to enthusiasts who appreciate a traditional shooting experience.
- Panasonic Lumix LX100 II:
Staying within the Panasonic family, the Lumix LX100 II is a worthy alternative to the XS3. It boasts a 17-megapixel Four Thirds sensor and a Leica DC Vario-Summilux lens, offering a versatile 24-75mm equivalent focal length range. The LX100 II stands out with its advanced manual controls, including physical dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation. It also supports 4K video recording and provides post-focus and focus stacking features for enhanced creative control.
Conclusion
The Panasonic XS3 Camera proves to be a remarkable option for photography enthusiasts seeking a compact and user-friendly device. With its sleek design, impressive image quality, and wide range of features, the camera offers excellent performance in various shooting conditions. The XS3’s advanced autofocus system, high-resolution sensor, and intuitive controls contribute to capturing stunningly detailed and vibrant images. Additionally, its portability and ease of use make it an ideal companion for everyday photography or travel adventures. Despite some limitations like the absence of manual controls and limited zoom range, the Panasonic XS3 Camera excels in delivering outstanding results within its category.