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Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
14
Overall
25
Olympus FE-45 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Introduced January 2009
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here is a extended review of the Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic ZS3, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the FE-45 (10MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is pretty similar and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FE-45 was revealed 4 months prior to the ZS3 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the FE-45 grades vs the ZS3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-45 over the Panasonic ZS3

 FE-45 ZS3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus FE-45

 ZS3 FE-45 
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic ZS3

 FE-45 ZS3 
ReleasedJanuary 2009May 2009Similar age
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus FE-45 comes with exterior dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic ZS3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the FE-45 compared to the ZS3.

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FE-45 and ZS3 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to see the gap between sensor sizing only by going over technical specs. The visual underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the FE-45 and ZS3.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of images although you should really take the launch date of the products into consideration.

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography highlights
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography factors
56
image stabilization (Digital)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus FE-45
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
26
image stabilization (Digital)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography information
27
image stabilization (Digital)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5")
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
35
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-45 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
30
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
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Olympus FE-45 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-45 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus FE-45Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus FE-45 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-01-07 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-108mm (3.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142 gr (0.31 lbs) 229 gr (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shooting
Storage type xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $130 $200