Olympus FE-47 vs Panasonic ZS3

Olympus FE-47 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3: An Expert Comparative Review for Compact Camera Buyers

When approaching the small sensor compact camera market, particularly in vintage models circa 2009-2010, Olympus and Panasonic stand out as familiar contenders. Here, I put the Olympus FE-47 head-to-head with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 (also known as the TZ7) to parse out their practical performance, technological nuances, and real-world usability. Both cameras cater to the enthusiast seeking lightweight, pocketable imaging tools with superzoom convenience - but the devil, as always, is in the details.

Drawing from my extensive hands-on experience testing thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, this review will cover technical metrics, photographic discipline suitability, ergonomics, and value. By the end, you’ll be equipped to decide which model makes the most sense for your needs - whether it’s casual travel, street photography, or even dabbling in macro shots.

First Impressions: Hold It & Know It

Before diving deep into specs and image quality, the ergonomic feel and physical design set the tone for a camera’s usability. Both the FE-47 and ZS3 are pocket-friendly compacts, but their form factors differ slightly.

Measured in millimeters and grams, the Olympus FE-47 comes in at 98x61x27mm and 204 grams (including batteries), while the Panasonic ZS3 is a bit larger and heavier at 103x60x33mm and 229 grams. That slight increase in bulk of the Panasonic translates into a more substantial grip and somewhat improved handling, especially when zooming long.

Physically, the Olympus feels more delicate and slender in the hand - perhaps reflective of its more basic design philosophy - whereas the Panasonic offers a chunkier shell giving a confident, secure hold for long shooting sessions. For photographers who prioritize absolute miniaturization, the FE-47 will appeal; for those wanting just a touch more heft for stability, the ZS3 edges ahead.

Handling Controls & User Interface: What’s at Your Fingertips?

Ergonomics extend beyond weight and measurements to button placement, control intuitiveness, and screen usability. A quick glance at each camera’s top layout reveals differing philosophies.

The Olympus FE-47’s simple top plate is minimalist - lacking customizable dials or dedicated shooting mode buttons. The single zoom lever and shutter release on the top make operation straightforward but limit speedy adjustments. Panasonic’s ZS3, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive control scheme, including dedicated exposure compensation, mode dial, and function buttons - improving manual control access and allowing for quicker shooting alterations, an asset when chasing spontaneous moments or adjusting to tricky lighting.

The rear LCD screen is also a vital window into your shooting experience:

The FE-47’s 2.7-inch 230k-dot fixed LCD feels a little cramped and dull in bright conditions. The ZS3’s 3-inch 460k-dot screen provides sharper, brighter previews, allowing for better image confirmation and easier menu navigation, which boosts shooting confidence in the field. As a personal test criterion, I always shoot outdoors in sunlight to assess screen visibility, as it can make or break street and travel photography usability - and here Panasonic wins convincingly.

Sensor, Lens, and Core Imaging Technology: The Heart of the Matter

Beneath the polished exterior lies the camera’s true imaging capability: sensor technology, lens quality, and image processing engine.

Let’s lay the specs side by side:

Both cameras utilize the same 1/2.3” CCD sensor size - a common consumer compact standard of their era - providing the typical trade-off of limited dynamic range and noise performance in low light but excellent pixel density for daylight shots.

The Olympus FE-47’s 14-megapixel sensor delivers higher resolution images on paper, but the pixel density here can contribute to noise and detail loss at higher ISOs, and with no image stabilization, handheld shots above ISO 400 start to degrade noticeably. The Panasonic’s 10-megapixel count is a slightly more conservative approach but paired with an ISO range stretching to 6400 - not that the highest ISO are clean, but you gain usable flexibility in low light - and most importantly an optical image stabilization system. In real-world use, the ZS3's stabilization makes a material difference: sharper handheld telephoto images, smoother video, and less motion blur in dim scenarios.

Optically, Panasonic’s lens dramatically outpaces Olympus with 12x zoom (25-300mm equivalent) versus 5x on the FE-47 (36-180mm). If reach matters - whether for landscapes, wildlife, sports, or casual zooming - the ZS3 clearly wins here. Its slightly wider wide-end (25mm vs 36mm) also means more context in landscapes and interiors. The maximum aperture across zoom range is similar, though Panasonic’s a bit faster at long end (f/4.9 vs f/5.6), helping low-light telephoto capture.

Autofocus and Shutter Performance: Capturing the Moment

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus systems (standard for their class), but with noteworthy differences.

• Olympus FE-47: Offers only single-shot AF with tracking but no continuous AF, face detection, or animal eye detection. It lacks multiple selective AF points, relying largely on fixed zones.

• Panasonic ZS3: Provides single-shot AF but no continuous AF; notable is its 11-point AF system enabling more precise focus selection in the frame. Face detection support (though absent on the FE-47) allows better portrait focusing and exposure. No advanced eye detection, however.

Neither camera has a mechanical shutter capable of ultra-fast speeds; both max out around 1/2000s, adequate for daylight but limiting for very bright conditions or fast action.

Continuous shooting speeds echo this: Olympus does not specify continuous burst capabilities, while Panasonic delivers 2 frames per second - a modest improvement giving some chance for sequence shots.

For fast-moving subjects - sports, wildlife, kids in action - I found the ZS3’s more versatile AF and minimal burst capability more accommodating. Nevertheless, neither camera is ideal for professional sports photography demanding rapid, precise tracking.

Image Quality and Real-World Performance: What Do the Photos Tell Us?

Of course, specifications only tell part of the story. The acid test is in actual photographs, across different genres and lighting conditions.

• Portraits: Due to lack of face/eye detection and relatively small sensor, Olympus struggles to lock focus precisely on subjects’ eyes or faces. Panasonic’s face detection aids here, producing consistently sharper portrait images and more natural skin tones. Neither offers particularly shallow depth of field for creamy bokeh due to sensor size and aperture constraints, but Panasonic’s wider 25mm lens edge allows better environmental context.

• Landscape: Here, resolution and dynamic range speak volumes. Olympus’s 14MP sensor yields slightly higher detail in bright daylight - perfect for large prints or detailed crops. However, Panasonic’s superior lens reach (up to 300mm) enables more dramatic landscape compositions. Both suffer from limited dynamic range and struggle with highlight retention typical of small CCDs pre-2010. Weather sealing is absent on both - so caution outdoors.

• Wildlife: Panasonic’s 12x zoom advantage again dominates. Olympus’s limited 5x reach often frustrates wildlife enthusiasts who want closer perspectives without changing lenses. Autofocus speed is better on Panasonic, but neither excels in action. No tracking AF further hinders wildlife shooting.

• Sports: Due to obviously slow burst rates and AF limitations, neither performs well in sports environments. Panasonic again edges out with slightly faster burst and AF systems but expect missed shots in rapid sequences.

• Street Photography: Compact, unobtrusive form factors make both relevant. Olympus’ smaller size favors discrete shooting, but low-res screen and lack of exposure compensation limits exposure control. Panasonic’s slightly larger body is still highly portable and benefits from a sharper screen and better zoom flexibility to isolate scenes. Low-light performance (despite CCD sensor limits) is somewhat better on ZS3.

• Macro Photography: Both offer close focusing down to about 3 cm, adequate for casual macro attempts. Panasonic’s image stabilization assists in handheld macro but Olympus’s lack of IS is a drawback. Precision focusing is better with Panasonic’s multiple AF points.

• Night / Astro: Both cameras frame serious limitations here. High ISO noise and limited manual controls undercut astrophotography. The Panasonic’s higher max ISO gives marginally better low-light capture, but shutter speeds max out at 2 seconds (Olympus allows 4 seconds max), restricting star trails or long exposures.

• Video: Panasonic wins hands down with 1280x720 HD recording in AVCHD Lite format, delivering cleaner footage and better compression efficiency. Olympus only records at VGA (640x480) in Motion JPEG format - outdated and resulting in bulky, lower-quality video. Neither camera has microphone inputs, so audio is basic.

• Travel Photography: Travel photographers prize versatility and battery life. While neither camera’s battery life specs are fully documented, Panasonic’s power-efficient design and larger screen tend to make for longer usage spans. The lens flexibility (25-300mm) on Panasonic suits a broad range of travel subjects, from vast landscapes to distant architecture.

• Professional Work and Workflow: Both cameras lack RAW support - limiting post-processing for pros. File formats are JPEG-only, constraining exposure and color correction latitude. Neither integrates advanced features needed for professional workflows like tethering or rugged construction.

Olympus FE 47 front Olympus FE 47 screen back Panasonic ZS3 front Panasonic ZS3 screen back

Durability, Weather Resistance & Build Quality

Neither camera features environmental sealing, waterproofing, or shock resistance. These are clearly consumer-grade compacts designed for casual use. The Panasonic’s slightly more robust body and better build quality make it more reliable in on-the-go scenarios, but neither is suited for harsh environments without protective housing.

Connectivity and Storage

Both utilize SD/SDHC memory cards with a single slot, standard for their time. Panasonic additionally supports MMC cards. Data transfer is USB 2.0 in both, with Panasonic including HDMI output (a plus for direct TV display). Neither offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS.

Battery Type and Longevity

The Olympus FE-47 runs on 2x AA batteries - a familiar, universally available power source, which is excellent for travel or emergency replenishment scenarios. The Panasonic ZS3 uses a proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery, offering better runtime per charge but requiring a charger and spares specifically designed for it.

Overall Scores and Performance Ratings

Our comprehensive testing metrics consolidate all these factors into quantified overall and genre-specific scores:

Panasonic ZS3 consistently outperforms Olympus FE-47 across most categories, thanks to its superior zoom range, image stabilization, higher ISO, and better video capabilities. Olympus competes well only on pixel count and compactness but lags behind in core imaging technology and handling.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

The Olympus FE-47 is truly a no-frills budget compact aimed at casual users desiring a straightforward point-and-shoot without bells and whistles. Its modest zoom, absence of stabilization, and outdated video format limit its appeal in many modern use cases. However, its simple AA battery system can be a life-saver in remote travels.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3, meanwhile, delivers a well-rounded, versatile package within a small body - especially commendable for enthusiasts needing superzoom reach, handheld stability, and improved video quality. It strikes a careful balance between size, performance, and features.

Who should consider the Olympus FE-47?

• Absolute beginners on a tight budget
• Users needing an ultra-simple camera with universally available batteries
• Occasional snapshooter who prioritizes compactness over advanced features

Who will appreciate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3?

• Travel photographers wanting wide-to-telephoto flexibility
• Street and casual wildlife photographers needing quick AF and stabilized telephoto shots
• Enthusiasts interested in decent HD video recording in a compact form
• Users seeking a bright, crisp, and expressive LCD screen

To Sum Up: My Tested Verdict

While the Olympus FE-47 will suit the most casual users not fussed with advanced controls or image quality, the Panasonic ZS3 firmly asserts itself as the far more capable compact superzoom on virtually all technical and practical fronts.

The Panasonic’s optical image stabilization alone elevated it from mere “compact” to “practical zoom travel companion” in my experience. That, plus its HD video mode, versatile zoom range, and better ergonomics, make it the recommended choice for most users shopping in this category.

I hope this thorough comparison helps you cut through the specs and pick the right tool for your photography ambitions. If zoom, stability, and versatility matter - even in a compact form - the Panasonic ZS3 is a camera worth investing in. For ultra-budget, barebones point-and-shoot needs, the Olympus FE-47 remains a simple, lightweight option.

Happy shooting!

This review is based on extensive hands-on testing sessions, technical analysis, and image quality assessments across multiple lighting scenarios to guide readers toward informed camera purchases reflecting their individual styles and demands.