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Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
14
Overall
25
Olympus FE-45 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Olympus FE-45
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-108mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 62 x 23mm
  • Revealed January 2009
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the FE-45 (10MP) and SZ3 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The FE-45 was unveiled 5 years prior to the SZ3 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the FE-45 matches up vs the SZ3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-45 over the Panasonic SZ3

 FE-45 SZ3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Olympus FE-45

 SZ3 FE-45 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2009Newer by 48 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic SZ3

 FE-45 SZ3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus FE-45 has external dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has proportions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic SZ3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the FE-45 vs the SZ3.

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the FE-45 and SZ3 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by viewing specifications. The picture here will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FE-45 and SZ3.

To sum up, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Panasonic SZ3 to render extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged FE-45 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography details
19
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
30
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography advice
56
has image stabilization (Digital)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Sports photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography info
26
has image stabilization (Digital)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-45 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than competition (126 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography highlights
27
has image stabilization (Digital)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no manual exposure
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
39
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus FE-45
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
25
has image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
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Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic SZ3
 Olympus FE-45Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus FE-45 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-01-07 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 -
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-108mm (3.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 4.10 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142g (0.31 lbs) 126g (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $130 $150