Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic TS3
88 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43


92 Imaging
35 Features
31 Overall
33
Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic TS3 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
- Released June 2013
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
- Announced August 2011
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-FT3
- Succeeded the Panasonic TS2
- Updated by Panasonic TS4

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic TS3 Overview
Below, we are comparing the Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic TS3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and TS3 (12MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SZ-15 was launched 23 months later than the TS3 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SZ-15 matches up against the TS3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic TS3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-15 Gallery and Panasonic TS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic TS3
SZ-15 | TS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2013 | ![]() | August 2011 | More recent by 23 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Olympus SZ-15
TS3 | SZ-15 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic TS3
SZ-15 | TS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic TS3 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-15 enjoys external dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Panasonic TS3 has proportions of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).
Compare the Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic TS3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-15 compared to the TS3.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-15 and TS3 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic TS3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements simply by looking through specifications. The graphic here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and TS3.
To sum up, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Olympus SZ-15 to provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The newer SZ-15 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic TS3 Specifications
Olympus SZ-15 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus SZ-15 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-FT3 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Released | 2013-06-21 | 2011-08-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Venus Engine FHD |
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 | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 23-483mm (21.0x) | 28-128mm (4.6x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1300 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 250 gr (0.55 lbs) | 197 gr (0.43 lbs) |
Dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") |
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 | - | 310 photos |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | SLB-10A | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $200 | $380 |