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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3 Key Specs

Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
  • Other Name is mju 550WP
Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced November 2008
  • Renewed by Panasonic LX5
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3 Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the 550WP (10MP) and the LX3 (10MP) is very similar but the 550WP (1/2.3") and LX3 (1/1.63") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 550WP was unveiled 3 months later than the LX3 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the 550WP scores against the LX3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Panasonic LX3

 550WP LX3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Olympus 550WP

 LX3 550WP 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic LX3

 550WP LX3 
IntroducedJanuary 2009November 2008Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus 550WP has outer measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LX3 has specifications of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

See the Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the 550WP compared to the LX3.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 550WP and LX3 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements merely by reviewing specs. The photograph below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the 550WP and LX3.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have the same megapixel count but not the same sensor measurements. The 550WP contains the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF tougher.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3 sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus 550WP
Portrait photography with Panasonic LX3
19
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
40
you can focus manually
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LX3 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
60
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/1.63")
heavier than competition (265g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus 550WP Sports photography highlights
Panasonic LX3 Sports photography highlights
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
27
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.63")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 550WP Travel photography information
Panasonic LX3 Travel photography information
55
environment proof
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
60
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (265g)
low megapixels (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus 550WP Landscape photography factors
Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography factors
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.5")
no manual exposure
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
52
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.63")
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 550WP Vlogging highlights
Panasonic LX3 Vlogging highlights
25
has image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
30
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
heavier than competition (265g)
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Panasonic LX3
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPanasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus 550WP Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Alternative name mju 550WP -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-01-07 2008-11-04
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-114mm (3.0x) 24-60mm (2.5x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.0 f/2.0-2.8
Macro focusing range 7cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 4.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/1000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 8.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167g (0.37 lbs) 265g (0.58 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 39
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 19.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 94
Other
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $399 $449