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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-11
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Released July 2011
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
  • Released January 2011
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Here is a complete comparison of the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic S3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-11 (14MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-11 was released 7 months later than the S3 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the SZ-11 grades versus the S3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Panasonic S3

 SZ-11 S3 
ReleasedJuly 2011January 2011Fresher by 7 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus SZ-11

 S3 SZ-11 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic S3

 SZ-11 S3 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-11 provides exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic S3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ-11 vs the S3.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-11 and S3 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-11 and S3.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you have to take the production date of the cameras into account. The fresher SZ-11 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
28
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography factors
Panasonic S3 Street photography factors
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-11
Sports photography with Panasonic S3
43
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-11
Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
40
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone socket
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic S3
 Olympus SZ-11Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-11 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-07-27 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 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
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 117g (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 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 200 shots 250 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $253 $110