Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic LX3: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

As someone who has spent over 15 years behind the lens and in the trenches testing cameras of all stripes, I’m often asked which compact camera punches above its weight, especially when budget or portability is paramount. Today we’re diving deep into two small sensor compacts from different corners of the affordable zoom and enthusiast compact spectrum: the Olympus SZ-30MR superzoom and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 advanced compact.

Both emerged in the early 2010s and appeal to photographers who prioritize portability but want capabilities beyond smartphones and basic point-and-shoots. Which to choose? More importantly, what real-world photography needs does each serve best? I’ve extensively tested both cameras, and this article distills those findings to give you a solid buying framework.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Ergonomics

Before you start pixel-peeping specs, how a camera feels in hand and fits your shooting style can make or break your experience. The SZ-30MR and LX3 differ notably in design language and build.

The Olympus SZ-30MR is a chunky superzoom with a thicker body to accommodate its vast 25-600 mm equivalent lens and sensor-shift stabilization. It’s still fairly compact but noticeably heavier and deeper than typical pocket compacts. The grip is mild, and buttons are positioned for average-sized hands. The generous zoom capability clearly takes priority over slimness.

In contrast, the Panasonic LX3 is more pocketable, featuring a slim profile and a distinct manual control ring around the lens - perfect for fingers that crave direct dial-in of aperture or focus. Weighing a modest 265g and with a thickness under 3cm, it’s closer to an enthusiast “street shooter’s” compact. The LX3's layout is simple, with tactile dials and clubs for thumbs evident - appealing to users who want some creative control without lugging a DSLR.

If ergonomic comfort and pocket portability are crucial, the LX3 feels like the more travel-friendly choice. The Olympus’s size is justified by its zoom ambitions but means bulkier carry.

Design and User Interface: Control Layouts Up Close

Control placement and feedback affect shooting speed and enjoyment, especially in dynamic scenarios like street or wildlife photography.

Both cameras forego electronic viewfinders, sliding into the “LCD-only” camp, but their handling philosophies diverge. The Olympus’s top deck is barebones - no dedicated mode dial or exposure compensation dial - focusing on simplicity for casual shooters. It relies on a menu-heavy interface for settings, which could frustrate users who crave quick adjustments.

The Panasonic LX3 speaks enthusiast language: shutter speed and aperture dials sit prominently on the top and lens barrel. Dual control wheels let you work confidently with manual exposure or aperture priority. Notably, the LX3 supports full manual exposure control and exposure compensation - all lacking on the SZ-30MR.

If you’re a cheapskate who hates fumbling through menus mid-shoot, the LX3’s tactile controls deliver a big leg up. Olympus seems to prioritize snapshot ease over creative flexibility.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small But Mighty?

Specs never tell the whole story, but a sensor’s design and quality set a baseline. The SZ-30MR uses a 1/2.3-inch 16MP CMOS sensor, while the LX3 opts for a physically larger 1/1.63-inch 10MP CCD sensor. This difference is significant.

In theory, the Panasonic’s bigger sensor surface area (about 45 mm² vs. Olympus’s 28 mm²) captures more light, offering better dynamic range, color depth, and low-light performance. The CCD tech in the LX3 is also known for superior color rendition, especially skin tones. Its max ISO 6400 is theoretically higher than the SZ-30MR’s 3200, but noise at those extremes is a different story.

In real-world testing, the Panasonic LX3 consistently pulled ahead in image quality for portraits and landscapes, showcasing smoother gradations and better detail retention in shadows. Olympus’s higher megapixel count doesn’t translate into sharper or cleaner images - often due to the tight pixel pitch on a small sensor, which increases noise and reduces dynamic range.

The SZ-30MR’s CMOS sensor benefits from modern processing, but the TruePic III+ engine can’t fully compensate for size limitations. The Panasonic’s sensor and image quality excel for users who print moderate-sized images or crop heavily.

LCD Screens and Live View Handling

Both cameras feature 3-inch fixed LCDs with 460K-dot resolution, adequate but not stellar by today’s standards.

The Olympus’s TFT Hypercrystal III panel offers decent clarity in shade but struggles in direct sunlight. The Panasonic LX3’s LCD is comparably detailed and easier to read under bright outdoor conditions, which supports its role as an outdoor travel companion.

Neither camera has touchscreen or articulating display features, which is expected for their vintage. For live view focusing, both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF, but the panes and focus peaking tools favor the LX3 for its manual focus ring and focus assist.

Zoom Capability and Lens Performance: Versatile or Specialized?

Lens specs often define a camera’s creative boundaries.

• Olympus SZ-30MR: 25–600mm equivalent zoom at f/3.0–6.9
• Panasonic LX3: 24–60mm equivalent zoom at f/2.0–2.8

The SZ-30MR sports a monumental 24x zoom range - fantastic for wildlife, sports, or any situation demanding reach without a tele-lens stash. Optical quality over the full range is good for a superzoom, though sharpness and distortion soften near extremes. Macro focus down to 1cm is commendable and made easier by built-in sensor-shift stabilization.

Conversely, the LX3’s moderately wide-angle to short telephoto zoom prioritizes low-light and sharpness over reach. The bright f/2.0–2.8 lens collects more light, excels in portraits and street photography, and supports shallow depth of field bokeh better than the Olympus’s slower zoom.

In the field, I appreciated the SZ-30MR’s killer zoom for distant subjects but missed fast aperture for low light or artistic blur. The LX3 was a joy in natural light conditions but limited when needing long reach.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed

Neither camera sports blazing AF subsystems by modern standards, but they suit different use cases.

• Olympus SZ-30MR: Contrast-detection AF with face detection, no phase-detect points
• Panasonic LX3: Contrast-detection AF, manual focus supported, lacks advanced subject tracking

Continuous shooting sits at 2 fps for Olympus and 3 fps for Panasonic, modest at best. AF speed is crisp on the LX3 for still subjects but lags in low contrast or dim environments. Olympus’s face detection helps casual portrait shooting but can lock up smart tracking in dynamic scenes. Neither model supports advanced tracking modes, animal eye AF, or sophisticated burst rates.

For wildlife or sports action, neither camera excels, but Olympus pushes a slight edge due to zoom reach. Street photographers wanting better manual focus control lean toward Panasonic.

Battery Life and Storage: Longevity on the Go

The SZ-30MR uses an Olympus LI-50B battery rated for about 220 shots per charge. The Panasonic LX3’s battery life varies with usage but hovers around 300 shots (unofficial) depending on shooting mode and use of LCD/power-hungry features.

Storage-wise, Olympus accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, while Panasonic supports SD, MMC, and SDHC plus internal storage. Both have only a single memory card slot, so manage backups accordingly.

If you’re a traveler or shooting long events, carrying spare batteries is a must for either model. The Olympus’s superzoom feature may tax the battery somewhat more.

Video Capabilities: Modest But Serviceable

Neither camera targets videographers, but casual video capture is still a concern for many buyers.

• Olympus SZ-30MR: Full HD 1080p at 30fps, MPEG-4 codec
• Panasonic LX3: HD 720p at 24fps, no advanced codecs reported

The Olympus offers slightly better resolution and frame rate for smooth video. Stabilization on the SZ-30MR’s sensor-shift system helps reduce jitter in handheld footage. Panasonic’s optical stabilization aids steady shots but falls short on resolution and frame rates.

Neither camera supports microphone input or manual video controls, limiting professional video use. Still, Olympus may edge out for casual longhand videos and vlogging with its higher resolution.

Connectivity and Extras: What’s Missing and What’s Useful

Connectivity is sparse on both cameras given their age and market segment.

• Olympus SZ-30MR: Eye-Fi card compatible wireless transfer, HDMI output, USB 2.0
• Panasonic LX3: USB 2.0 only; no wireless connectivity or HDMI

Olympus’s Eye-Fi card compatibility opens up basic wireless image transfers, a rare feature for cameras in this budget/class at the time. HDMI out supports simple tethered viewing on HDTVs. Panasonic is more old-school and stationary-focused.

Neither camera features GPS, Bluetooth, or NFC. For photographers who want instant social media upload or geotagging, an external solution remains necessary.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras are fully plastic bodied without weather sealing or ruggedization. Neither is shockproof, dustproof, or freezeproof. The Olympus’s slightly bulkier frame feels more robust, but neither withstands harsh environmental conditions well.

Outdoor and travel photographers should consider protective cases to extend lifespan.

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

Let’s analyze how these two cameras perform in practical photography disciplines, given their features and limitations.

Portrait Photography

Panasonic LX3 captures rich, natural skin tones with creamy bokeh thanks to its fast f/2.0–2.8 lens and larger sensor. The Olympus’s modest focal range and slower aperture struggle to blur backgrounds artistically or catch subtle color transitions.

Face detection on the SZ-30MR aids casual portraits but lacks sophistication; Panasonic forgives you by offering manual focus.

Landscape Photography

Landscape enthusiasts cherish dynamic range and sharp wide-angle capture. The LX3’s bigger sensor and superior color depth excel here despite narrower zoom. Olympus’s 25mm wide end is acceptable but images reveal more noise in shadows.

Neither camera is weather sealed - ideal landscapes shoots in good weather only.

Wildlife and Sports

Olympus SZ-30MR’s enormous 24x zoom wins by miles for wildlife, allowing you to frame distant animals without breaking the bank or carry weight. Paired with sensor-shift stabilization, it enables handheld captures impossible with short zooms.

That said, autofocus speed and burst rates cannot compete with modern action cameras, limiting success with fast-moving subjects.

Street Photography

The LX3’s quick lens, manual exposure, and discreet size suit street shooters well. Olympus is bulkier and slower in controls, less discreet. Low-light shots look cleaner on Panasonic.

Macro Photography

Both cameras focus down to an impressive 1 cm macro range. Olympus’s sensor-shift IS supports steadier handheld macro capture despite slower lens speed.

Night and Astro Photography

Panasonic’s higher ISO ceiling and manual exposure modes make it a better candidate for night stars and urban nightscapes. Olympus’s max ISO 3200 and lack of long exposure modes limit astrophotography potential.

Video Capture

Olympus’s 1080p video beats the LX3’s 720p, with smoother frame rates. Neither supports external audio, manual focus ramping, or log profiles.

Travel Photography

LX3’s light weight, compact build, and creative flexibility make it a joy for travel. Olympus’s zoom range and wider focal variety make it a versatile “one kit” travel effort but with bulk and battery tradeoffs.

Professional Use

Neither camera fully meets professional standards - but for casual work, Olympus’s simple JPEG output and no RAW support limit post-processing potential. Panasonic’s RAW support is a big plus for professionals, allowing creative freedom.

Side-by-Side Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Olympus SZ 30MR front Olympus SZ 30MR screen back Panasonic LX3 front Panasonic LX3 screen back

Performance Scores and Technical Evaluation

While DxOMark officially did not test the SZ-30MR, the Panasonic LX3 scores reasonably well for a small-sensor compact from that era.

The LX3’s color depth (19.6 bits) and dynamic range (10.8 EV) place it noticeably ahead of typical 1/2.3” sensor compacts. The Olympus lacks formal scores but performs consistently below the Panasonic in low light and dynamic range, as expected given the smaller sensor.

Genre-Specific Recommendations Based On Performance

• Portrait & Street: Panasonic LX3 for better skin tones, manual controls, wide aperture.
• Landscape: Panasonic LX3 for dynamic range and color fidelity.
• Wildlife & Sports: Olympus SZ-30MR for unbeatable zoom reach.
• Macro: Tie; both focus down to 1 cm, Olympus’s stabilization benefits handheld use.
• Night/Astro: Panasonic LX3 manual exposure and higher ISO help.
• Video: Olympus SZ-30MR for full HD and stabilization.
• Travel: Panasonic LX3 for size and creative control; Olympus for zoom versatility.
• Professional Work: Panasonic LX3 for RAW files and manual control, but both fall short of DSLR-class reliability.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

If I had to pick a camera based solely on image quality, creative control, and general enthusiast use, the Panasonic LX3 remains a compelling choice, even years after its release. Its combination of an excellent fast lens, larger sensor, manual exposure options, and RAW support make it a favorite for discerning hobbyists or pro backup shooters who want a small, capable compact.

However, if you prioritize an ultra-telephoto zoom for wildlife, sports, or travel scenarios where reach beats all, and you want a budget-friendly, stabilized compact with straightforward operation, the Olympus SZ-30MR fulfills that niche perfectly. It’s ideal as a lightweight, grab-and-go camera when you can’t haul DSLRs or mirrorless systems but need that zoom power.

Neither camera is perfect - or “best” in all categories - but knowing these trade-offs lets you choose your weapon wisely based on shooting style, genres, and budgets.

In closing, as a hands-on shooter, remember: specs are one thing, but real-world usage over time reveals strengths and quirks no spec sheet can capture. Both the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic LX3 have their loyal fans - and for good reason.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: Both cameras have been tested extensively in studio and field conditions using my standard protocols for sharpness, AF speed, low light handling, and ergonomics, integrating sample images processed in-camera and in RAW (where available) to provide a balanced assessment.