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Olympus E-450 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
77
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Olympus E-450 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus E-450 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Olympus E-450
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Revealed March 2009
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-330
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Olympus E-450 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

The following is a complete review of the Olympus E-450 versus Panasonic S3, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-450 (10MP) and S3 (14MP) and the E-450 (Four Thirds) and S3 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The E-450 was introduced 21 months earlier than the S3 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-450 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-450 grades vs the S3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-450 over the Panasonic S3

 E-450 S3 
Focus manually Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus E-450

 S3 E-450 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011March 2009Newer by 21 months

Common features in the Olympus E-450 and Panasonic S3

 E-450 S3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-450 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-450 has exterior dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Panasonic S3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-450 versus Panasonic S3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-450 versus the S3.

Olympus E-450 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-450 and S3 is 77 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-450 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-450 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specs. The image here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-450 and S3.

All in all, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-450 with its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic S3 will show more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged E-450 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-450 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-450 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-450 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-450
Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
57
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
28
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-450 Street photography information
Panasonic S3 Street photography information
64
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (426g)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-450 Sports photography details
Panasonic S3 Sports photography details
39
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-450 Travel photography info
Panasonic S3 Travel photography info
53
lighter than competitors (426 grams)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (500 per charge)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
68
lighter than competition (117 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-450 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography factors
47
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (500 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
38
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-450 Vlogging information
Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
9
can't record video
31
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Olympus E-450 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-450 and Panasonic S3
 Olympus E-450Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-450 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-03-31 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 grams (0.94 pounds) 117 grams (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 512 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 photographs 250 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $138 $110