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Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
79
Imaging
38
Features
66
Overall
49
Olympus Stylus 1s front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Olympus 1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-300mm (F2.8) lens
  • 402g - 116 x 87 x 57mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Succeeded the Olympus 1
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the 1s (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) and the 1s (1/1.7") and SZ3 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The 1s was revealed 2 years after the SZ3 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus 1s being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the 1s grades vs the SZ3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus 1s over the Panasonic SZ3

 1s SZ3 
RevealedApril 2015January 2013Newer by 28 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Olympus 1s

 SZ3 1s 

Common features in the Olympus 1s and Panasonic SZ3

 1s SZ3 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus 1s comes with outside dimensions of 116mm x 87mm x 57mm (4.6" x 3.4" x 2.2") with a weight of 402 grams (0.89 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has proportions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the 1s versus the SZ3.

Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1s and SZ3 is 79 and 96 respectively.

Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions purely by checking out technical specs. The pic below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the 1s and SZ3.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 1s having a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Panasonic SZ3 will provide more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger 1s is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus 1s as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
30
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus 1s
Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
71
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
offers touch to focus
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus 1s Sports photography details
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography details
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery life (450 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 1s Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography highlights
64
better than average battery life (450 shots)
offers touch to focus
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
great zoom (300mm)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition (126g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus 1s as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
53
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (450 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
39
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 1s Vlogging features
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging features
32
rather wide (28mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
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Olympus 1s vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 1s and Panasonic SZ3
 Olympus Stylus 1sPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus 1s Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2015-04-13 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-300mm (10.7x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.30 m (at ISO 1600) 4.10 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-on, off, redeye reduction slow sync, full, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 402 grams (0.89 pounds) 126 grams (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 87 x 57mm (4.6" x 3.4" x 2.2") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 450 pictures 250 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $699 $150