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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Panasonic GH3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Superseded the Panasonic GH2
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH4
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the GH3 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and GH3 (Four Thirds) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-16 iHS was announced 4 months later than the GH3 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up vs the GH3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic GH3

 SZ-16 iHS GH3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 GH3 SZ-16 iHS 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution614k460kSharper screen (+154k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic GH3

 SZ-16 iHS GH3 
LaunchedJanuary 2013September 2012Similar generation
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has got outside measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic GH3 has specifications of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") along with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-16 iHS versus the GH3.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and GH3 is 89 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking specs. The graphic below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and GH3.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with the identical MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The SZ-16 iHS has the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field more challenging.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography features
Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography features
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
71
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography highlights
Panasonic GH3 Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
screen articulates fully
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch focus
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (550g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography factors
Panasonic GH3 Sports photography factors
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
63
fast shooting (20.0 frames/s)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery life (540 shots)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography info
Panasonic GH3 Travel photography info
65
lighter than average in class (226g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
good battery life (540 CIPA)
environment sealing
provides touch focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
heavier than average in class (550g)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Landscape photography with Panasonic GH3
41
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
71
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery life (540 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging details
Panasonic GH3 Vlogging details
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic port
65
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic jack
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (550g)
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic GH3
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-01-08 2012-09-17
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine VII FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Available lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 614 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD OLED Monitor with static touch control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,744 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.67x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 550 gr (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 71
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 812
Other
Battery life 220 images 540 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $230 $799