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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH3

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH3 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS11
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH3 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic FH3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the FH3 (14MP) is fairly similar and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was manufactured 2 years after the FH3 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SZ-12 scores versus the FH3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FH3

 SZ-12 FH3 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2010Newer by 25 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Olympus SZ-12

 FH3 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FH3

 SZ-12 FH3 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 has outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH3 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic FH3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-12 and the FH3.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and FH3 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The picture here will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and FH3.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution so you should expect similar quality of photos however you would want to take the production date of the products into consideration. The fresher SZ-12 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography factors
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FH3 Sports photography advice
40
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FH3 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
64
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Landscape photography camera
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
37
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging features
Panasonic FH3 Vlogging features
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
29
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FH3
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FS11
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-01-10 2010-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 165 gr (0.36 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 220 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $350 $160