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Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
14
Overall
25
Olympus FE-45 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Olympus FE-45
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-108mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 62 x 23mm
  • Released January 2009
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic ZR3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the FE-45 (10MP) and ZR3 (14MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FE-45 was introduced 12 months before the ZR3 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the FE-45 grades versus the ZR3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-45 over the Panasonic ZR3

 FE-45 ZR3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus FE-45

 ZR3 FE-45 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010January 2009Fresher by 12 months
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic ZR3

 FE-45 ZR3 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus FE-45 has got physical measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic ZR3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the FE-45 versus the ZR3.

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the FE-45 and ZR3 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing purely by going through specifications. The visual below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FE-45 and ZR3.

Plainly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Panasonic ZR3 to show extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older FE-45 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography features
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-45 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Digital)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-45 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
26
image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography factors
27
image stabilization (Digital)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
37
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-45 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Vlogging camera
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
29
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus FE-45Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus FE-45 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also called - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-01-07 2010-01-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-108mm (3.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142g (0.31 lbs) 159g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $130 $280