Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3
95 Imaging
33 Features
14 Overall
25


96 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35
Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus FE-45 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3. The full galleries are provided at Olympus FE-45 Gallery & Panasonic SZ3 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2013 | ![]() | January 2009 | Newer by 48 months |
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications
Olympus FE-45 | Panasonic 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 |