Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
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91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2012
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Introduced May 2009
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").
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The SZ-12 was introduced 2 years after the ZS3 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SZ-12 matches up against the ZS3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic ZS3
SZ-12 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2012 | ![]() | May 2009 | Newer by 33 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus SZ-12
ZS3 | SZ-12 |
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Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS3
SZ-12 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurement |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 has external dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-12 and the ZS3.
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Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and ZS3 is 89 and 91 respectively.
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions simply by going over specs. The pic here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and ZS3.
All in all, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Olympus SZ-12 to offer extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more recent SZ-12 provides an advantage in sensor tech.
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2012-01-10 | 2009-05-14 |
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 | 14 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
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 support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
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 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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
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 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 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 pictures | - |
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 | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $350 | $200 |