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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FP3

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FP3 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Announced June 2013
Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2010
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FP3 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus SZ-15 versus Panasonic FP3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the FP3 (14MP) is very similar and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was introduced 3 years later than the FP3 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SZ-15 grades vs the FP3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic FP3

 SZ-15 FP3 
IntroducedJune 2013January 2010Fresher by 43 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Olympus SZ-15

 FP3 SZ-15 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic FP3

 SZ-15 FP3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FP3 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-15 features physical dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Panasonic FP3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-15 versus Panasonic FP3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-15 vs the FP3.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FP3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and FP3 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FP3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FP3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The graphic here may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and FP3.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-15 to deliver more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher SZ-15 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FP3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FP3 Portrait photography features
44
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-15
Street photography with Panasonic FP3
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (155g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-15
Sports photography with Panasonic FP3
53
great zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
35
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FP3 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (23mm)
long reach (483mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
has touch focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (155g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FP3 Landscape photography highlights
49
focusing manually
really wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
37
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FP3 as a Vlogging camera
34
really wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
27
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (155g)
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FP3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic FP3
 Olympus SZ-15Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 2013-06-21 2010-01-06
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 grams (0.55 pounds) 155 grams (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $200 $182