Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3
89 Imaging
37 Features
37 Overall
37


96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SZ-11 Gallery and Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Panasonic S3
SZ-11 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2011 | ![]() | January 2011 | Fresher by 7 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
Olympus SZ-11 | Panasonic 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 |