Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic GF3

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic GF3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the SH-50 (16MP) and GF3 (12MP) and the SH-50 (1/2.3") and GF3 (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The SH-50 was announced 18 months later than the GF3 which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SH-50 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SH-50 scores vs the GF3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SH-50 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SH-50 Gallery & Panasonic GF3 Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SH-50 comes with outside measurements of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic GF3 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic GF3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SH-50 versus the GF3.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SH-50 and GF3 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Often, its difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by checking out specifications. The graphic underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-50 and GF3.

Plainly, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SH-50 using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Olympus SH-50 will show more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The fresher SH-50 will have an advantage in sensor tech.