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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-11
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched July 2011
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-11 (14MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is very comparable and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-11 was released 19 months after the ZR3 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SZ-11 grades versus the ZR3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Panasonic ZR3

 SZ-11 ZR3 
IntroducedJuly 2011January 2010Newer by 19 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus SZ-11

 ZR3 SZ-11 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic ZR3

 SZ-11 ZR3 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-11 has got physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR3 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ-11 and the ZR3.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-11 and ZR3 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions simply by going through specs. The pic here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-11 and ZR3.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of files though you should really factor the release date of the cameras into account. The more recent SZ-11 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
features face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
28
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
43
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-11
Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
64
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
40
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery (200 shots)
no Timelapse function
37
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-11
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
lighter than others in class (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
29
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus SZ-11Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-11 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-07-27 2010-01-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ Venus Engine HD II
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
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $253 $280