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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 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
  • Released January 2013
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Panasonic ZR3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was introduced 2 years later than the ZR3 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS grades versus the ZR3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic ZR3

 SZ-16 iHS ZR3 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2010Fresher by 36 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 ZR3 SZ-16 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic ZR3

 SZ-16 iHS ZR3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS provides physical measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR3 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Panasonic ZR3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-16 iHS versus the ZR3.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-16 iHS and ZR3 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing technical specs. The visual underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-16 iHS and ZR3.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to provide extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SZ-16 iHS provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography advice
35
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
28
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR3
42
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
64
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography information
41
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
37
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging features
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging features
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
29
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic socket
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-08 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lb) 159 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 220 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $230 $280