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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Olympus FE-5020 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Olympus FE-5020
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 24-120mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 137g - 93 x 56 x 25mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Also referred to as X-935
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
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the FE-5020 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FE-5020 was introduced 3 months later than the ZS3 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the FE-5020 scores versus the ZS3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-5020 over the Panasonic ZS3

 FE-5020 ZS3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus FE-5020

 ZS3 FE-5020 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic ZS3

 FE-5020 ZS3 
IntroducedJuly 2009May 2009Same age
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus FE-5020 comes with outside measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 137 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the FE-5020 versus the ZS3.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the FE-5020 and ZS3 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor measurements merely by researching a spec sheet. The visual below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the FE-5020 and ZS3.

As you can see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus FE-5020 to render extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
19
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography advice
60
weather proof
lighter than competition in class (137 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
24
weather proof
low max shutter speed (1/500s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus FE-5020
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
65
lighter than competition in class (137g)
weather proof
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography advice
31
decently wide (24mm)
weather proof
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
35
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging info
28
decently wide (24mm)
lighter than competition in class (137 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic support
30
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus FE-5020Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus FE-5020 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also referred to as X-935 Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-07-22 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/500s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.10 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 137 grams (0.30 pounds) 229 grams (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media xD-Picture Card, microSD SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $160 $200