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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched January 2012
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic ZR3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was revealed 24 months after the ZR3 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SZ-12 matches up versus the ZR3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic ZR3

 SZ-12 ZR3 
RevealedJanuary 2012January 2010Newer by 24 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus SZ-12

 ZR3 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZR3

 SZ-12 ZR3 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 provides exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic ZR3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SZ-12 and the ZR3.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and ZR3 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and ZR3.

Clearly, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution so you can expect comparable quality of photos although you should consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The younger SZ-12 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography highlights
34
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
28
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography features
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography info
41
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
65
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
40
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
37
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging highlights
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
29
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-10 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
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
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
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 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1300s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 159 gr (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 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 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $350 $280