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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Panasonic ZS3
(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
Photography Glossary

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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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic ZS3

 SZ-12 ZS3 
IntroducedJanuary 2012May 2009Newer by 33 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus SZ-12

 ZS3 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS3

 SZ-12 ZS3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kThe 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and ZS3 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

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.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
34
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography highlights
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-12
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
63
lighter than average in class (229g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
35
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging highlights
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic 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