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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 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
  • Revealed June 2013
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Olympus SZ-15 versus Panasonic SZ3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is very close and they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was announced 6 months later than the SZ3 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SZ-15 matches up versus the SZ3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic SZ3

 SZ-15 SZ3 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Olympus SZ-15

 SZ3 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic SZ3

 SZ-15 SZ3 
LaunchedJune 2013January 2013Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-15 has physical dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ3 has dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-15 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SZ-15 and the SZ3.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-15 and SZ3 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through technical specs. The visual here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and SZ3.

As you can tell, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same MP and you should expect comparable quality of pictures but you really should consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography info
44
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
30
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography information
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (250g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
53
great zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition (250g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (23mm)
great zoom (483mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition in class (126g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography advice
49
has manual focus
pretty wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
38
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging details
34
pretty wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (250g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have mic jack
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic SZ3
 Olympus SZ-15Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-06-21 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lbs) 126 gr (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 - 250 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $200 $150