Clicky

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Introduced July 2011
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-11 (14MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SZ-11 was manufactured 2 years after the ZS3 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SZ-11 scores vs the ZS3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Panasonic ZS3

 SZ-11 ZS3 
AnnouncedJuly 2011May 2009Newer by 27 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus SZ-11

 ZS3 SZ-11 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic ZS3

 SZ-11 ZS3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-11 features external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-11 versus the ZS3.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-11 and ZS3 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-11 and ZS3.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-11 to offer greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SZ-11 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography factors
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
43
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
63
lighter than others (229g)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-11
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
35
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse recording
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging details
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
30
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus SZ-11Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-11 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-27 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
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 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
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 support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $253 $200