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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Panasonic S3

Portability
79
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Olympus SP-610UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Olympus SP-610UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-616mm (F3.3-5.7) lens
  • 405g - 107 x 73 x 73mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus SP-600 UZ
  • Successor is Olympus SP-620 UZ
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Panasonic S3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus SP-610UZ versus Panasonic S3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SP-610UZ (14MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty similar and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SP-610UZ was unveiled very close to the S3 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SP-610UZ scores vs the S3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-610UZ over the Panasonic S3

 SP-610UZ S3 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus SP-610UZ

 S3 SP-610UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-610UZ and Panasonic S3

 SP-610UZ S3 
LaunchedJanuary 2011January 2011Similar generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-610UZ offers exterior dimensions of 107mm x 73mm x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") with a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-610UZ versus Panasonic S3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SP-610UZ against the S3.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-610UZ and S3 is 79 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing specifications. The pic underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-610UZ and S3.

Plainly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photos although you should really factor the release date of the products into consideration.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Portrait photography info
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography info
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
28
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Street photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Street photography highlights
50
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Sports photography features
Panasonic S3 Sports photography features
39
excellent zoom range (28-616mm 22.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Travel photography camera
61
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (616mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
40
rather wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
38
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-610UZ
Vlogging with Panasonic S3
26
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-610UZ and Panasonic S3
 Olympus SP-610UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-610UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-06 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-616mm (22.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.7 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 405g (0.89 lbs) 117g (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 73 x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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
Battery life 340 photos 250 photos
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $299 $110