• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 360.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Panasonic ZS200

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.25 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~2.20 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Panasonic ZS200 advantages over Sony A3000

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Higher-res screen
    413k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.53x vs 0.47x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.1 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    139 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A3000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS200

Review Excerpt

  • Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.

  • Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony A3000
Pentax K-01
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS200
Pentax K-01
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic ZS100

Sony A3000
Panasonic ZS100
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic ZS200
Panasonic ZS100
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • HDMI out
Panasonic ZS200
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A3000
Canon EOS M5
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic ZS200
Canon EOS M5
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Sony A3000
Sony RX100 VI
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic ZS200
Sony RX100 VI
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture
Compare Other Cameras?