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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3 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 G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic G2
  • Replacement is Panasonic G5
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the G3 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and G3 (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-12 was introduced 7 months later than the G3 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a short summation of how the SZ-12 scores against the G3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic G3

 SZ-12 G3 
ReleasedJanuary 2012July 2011More recent by 7 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Olympus SZ-12

 G3 SZ-12 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic G3

 SZ-12 G3 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 features outer 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) whilst the Panasonic G3 has measurements of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") having a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-12 against the G3.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and G3 is 89 and 83 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by checking specs. The visual here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and G3.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SZ-12 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Panasonic G3 will give you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern SZ-12 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic G3 Portrait photography factors
33
MP count decent (14MP)
supports face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
70
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Panasonic G3
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
75
screen articulates fully
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography information
Panasonic G3 Sports photography information
40
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (220 shots)
has no phase detect AF
46
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (270 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography advice
Panasonic G3 Travel photography advice
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
provides focus via touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery power (270 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Panasonic G3
40
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
62
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (270 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic G3 Vlogging highlights
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
70
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic G3
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-01-10 2011-07-11
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3448
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Total lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 11.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps))
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
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 226g (0.50 lbs) 336g (0.74 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 56
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 667
Other
Battery life 220 images 270 images
Form of battery Battery Pack 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 media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $350 $500