Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3
88 Imaging
40 Features
50 Overall
44


96 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35
Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-15 Gallery and Panasonic SZ3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic SZ3
SZ-15 | SZ3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2013 | ![]() | January 2013 | Same generation |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications
Olympus SZ-15 | Panasonic 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 |