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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-10 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-504mm (F3.1-4.4) lens
  • 215g - 106 x 67 x 38mm
  • Announced February 2011
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF2
  • Updated by Panasonic GF5
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic GF3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is very similar but the SZ-10 (1/2.3") and GF3 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-10 was launched 6 months before the GF3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-10 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SZ-10 grades versus the GF3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Panasonic GF3

 SZ-10 GF3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus SZ-10

 GF3 SZ-10 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic GF3

 SZ-10 GF3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011August 2011Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-10 features outer dimensions of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF3 has dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic GF3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-10 vs the GF3.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-10 and GF3 is 90 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-10 and GF3.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SZ-10 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Olympus SZ-10 will offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a little more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Portrait photography camera
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
55
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (215g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
70
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
has touch to focus
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Sports photography camera
40
incredible zoom range (28-504mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 shots)
has no phase detect AF
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-10
Travel photography with Panasonic GF3
65
lighter than competition (215 grams)
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
great zoom (504mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (220 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
58
has touch to focus
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
low battery (300 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Landscape photography features
Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography features
40
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery pack (220 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Vlogging camera
31
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition (215g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
32
screen is touchscreen
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of microphone port
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus SZ-10Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-10 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-02-08 2011-08-11
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 28-504mm (18.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-4.4 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.10 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 215g (0.47 lbs) 264g (0.58 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 50
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.1
DXO Low light score not tested 459
Other
Battery life 220 images 300 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $300 $360