Clicky

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3 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
  • Released January 2012
Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2010
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the FP3 (14MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The SZ-12 was introduced 2 years later than the FP3 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SZ-12 scores vs the FP3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FP3

 SZ-12 FP3 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2010Fresher by 25 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Olympus SZ-12

 FP3 SZ-12 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FP3

 SZ-12 FP3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 comes with exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic FP3 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-12 vs the FP3.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and FP3 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading technical specs. The photograph below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and FP3.

As you can tell, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photos but you might want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The more modern SZ-12 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FP3 Portrait photography advice
33
decent MP (14MP)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FP3 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competition (155g)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FP3 as a Sports photography camera
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FP3 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
60
includes focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (155 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FP3 Landscape photography information
40
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
37
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging factors
Panasonic FP3 Vlogging factors
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic port
27
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
more heavy than competition (155 grams)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FP3
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2012-01-10 2010-01-06
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 pounds) 155 gr (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
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 220 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $350 $182