For the last 5 years, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has introduced new Raspberry Pi models annually, from 2012’s Raspberry Pi Model B, to this year’s Raspberry Pi Zero W. As we head into the new year, we’ll anxiously await the new model the Foundation introduces so that we can use it in our next DIY or IoT project. With many Raspberry Pi models out there, we’ll look at the two most recent RPs, the Raspberry Pi 3 and the Raspberry Pi Zero W, and compare their differences and similarities so you know what you’ll get and need for each SBC.
The Raspberry Pi 3 (RP3) was released on February 2016 is the newest model of the main Raspberry Pi line. The Raspberry Pi Zero W (RPZW) came out this year, as an upgrade to the original Raspberry Pi Zero (RPZ) and a “smaller brother” to the Raspberry Pi 3. The RPZ and RPZW have very similar specifications, the only difference being that the RPZW has built-in Wi-Fi while the RPZ has no Wi-Fi connectivity unless you add a dongle. Let’s take a look at the main areas for the RP3 and the RPZW.
Raspberry Pi Size Comparison
Figure 1: Size comparison of the RP3 and RPZW.
The easiest detail to see right away is their dimension. The RP3 has a height of 2.22 inches and width of 3.37 inches while the RPZW has a height of 1.18 inches and width of 2.55 inches. This makes the RPZW more compact to fit into those smaller based projects that you are building (especially considering it weights 9g compared to the RP3’s weight of 45g) and saving the RP3 for projects with more working room. In terms of price, the RPZW is only around $10 while the RP3 is around $35. We’ll show you more in the detailed specifications to see which RP would fit your project so you don’t over spend.
RP3 and Raspberry Pi Zero Connectivity
The RP3 has four USB 2.0 ports, making it easy to have multiple connections and be ready to go, while the USB ports on the RPWZ are minimal, because it only has one Micro-USB. This means you’ll have to add a standard USB hub on the RPZW to have multiple USB 2.0 ports, but this will most likely make it unnecessarily bulky. You can keep a compact size on the RPZW and still have multiple USB ports by simply adding the Zero4U USB hub (https://www.arrow.com/en/products/3298/adafruit-industries) on it, adding 4 USB 2.0 ports and keeping its compact size (just increasing its depth).
Figure 2: Adding the Zero4U on the RPZW. (Source: Adafruit)
Ethernet/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
Both the RP3 and the RPZW have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, giving them both wireless capabilities. Each model has 2.4GHz 802.11n wireless LAN and Bluetooth Classic 4.1, giving it no problem to connect online or connecting wireless devices. One difference is that the RP3 has a 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet connectivity while the RPZW has no Ethernet at all. The Ethernet connections allows the RP3 to connect to the internet wired instead of wirelessly, just in case connection to the internet needs to be more secured.
HDMI/Analog Video/LCD/Camera
Figure 3: The Camera Module V2 NoIR.
HDMI display is available for both RP3 and RPZW and the only difference is their connections. The RP3 uses HDMI rev 1.3 and the RPZW uses a mini-HDMI, which means that the RPZW will need a mini-HDMI adaptor. They both can display 1080p HD video and stereo audio.
If you need an analog video output they both have it but it will have to be accessed in different ways. The RP3 will simply be sharing the analog video output with its audio jack and the RPZW’s analog video output is accessed by an unpopulated pin on the board.
LCD panels are supported on the RP3, but not on the RPZW. This means that you can add a touchscreen LCD easily on the RP3 since it has a dedicated connection for it, while RPZW is out of luck.
It is also good to know that camera inputs can be added to both SBCs. If you are using the official Raspberry Pi camera modules, they can be adapted to be used by simply switching the ribbon camera cables. The original cable that comes with the camera modules can be easily used on the RP3, but to use it for the RPZW, you’ll need to get the Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3 Camera Cable since the original cable is too large for the RPZW.
The two popular cameras for both Pies are the Pi Camera Module V2 NoIR and the Pi Camera Module V2 Daylight. The Pi Camera Module V2 NoIR has no InfraRed filter on the lens making it perfect for taking pictures or videos in low light. The Pi Camera Module V2 Daylight has an IR filter making it great for an outdoor camera in the daylight.
GPIO Pinout Comparison
Figure 4: GPIO Pinout for RP3 and RPZW. (Source: AB Electronics UK)
40 GPIO pins are available for both the RP3 and RPZW and they have the same pinouts too. It allows the usage of +3.3V, +5V, ground, I2C, and SPI. Since they have matching pinouts, most HATs can be used for both Pies. One thing to note is that the RP3 already has a populated header while the RPWZ has unpopulated headers. It can be a good thing as you can map your wires however you want, but if you want to have the same populated header as the RP3, you’ll need to buy headers and solder them on.
Raspberry Pi Performance Comparison: Processing Power
Figure 5: Raspberry Pi 3’s System on Chip (SoC). (Source: Raspberry Pi Org)
The RP3 uses a Broadcom BCM2837 SoC that has a 1.2 GHz 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 core, while the RPZW uses a Broadcom BCM2835 SoC that has a 1 GHz 32-bit ARM1176JZF-S core. The speed of the RP3 is 20% faster than the RPZW, but adding to the RP3’s processing power is its quad core.
The RPZW only has a single core, meaning that it contains only one core to process different operations. With RP3’s quad core, it has four cores to process different operations meaning that it can multitask. The single core can handle easier applications, like surfing the web, watching videos, or checking emails. A quad core can handle more processing load better, like video editing, GPS systems, or audio/video chatting.
Both Pies have similar GPU, because they use the Broadcom VideoCore IV. Their memory (SDRAM) differs, as the RP3 has a 1 GB memory and the RPZW has a 512 MB memory (both Pie’s memory are shared with the GPU). This gives the RP3 the ultimate edge with a faster core, a quad core, and more memory to perform everyday task more efficiently.
RP3 and Raspberry Pi Zero w Specs Comparison
This table can give you a quick recap and extra information of the differences and similarities for both the RP3 and the RPZW:
Even with RP3’s stronger processing power and extra connectivity, both Pies can meet specific needs for certain projects. Whether you simply want to show movies, create a portable gaming device, build a small motion sensor camera from RPZW, or go big and build a smart-home mirror or a gaming cabinet from the RP3, you’ll be able to fit your need for any sized project!
Check out our comparisons on this year’s small-from SBCs, the Raspberry Pi Zero and BeagleBoard’s new PocketBeagle, here!