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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Announced March 2015
  • Succeeded the Olympus SH-1
  • Renewed by Olympus SH-3
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus SH-2 versus Panasonic S3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-2 (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SH-2 was revealed 4 years later than the S3 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SH-2 scores versus the S3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Panasonic S3

 SH-2 S3 
IntroducedMarch 2015January 2011More recent by 51 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus SH-2

 S3 SH-2 

Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic S3

 SH-2 S3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SH-2 has got exterior measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SH-2 versus Panasonic S3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SH-2 versus the S3.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SH-2 and S3 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements just by going over technical specs. The visual below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-2 and S3.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Olympus SH-2 to deliver greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger SH-2 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
44
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
28
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
features touch focus
lighter than others (271 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Sports photography info
Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery life (380 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
74
great battery life (380 shots)
lighter than others (271 grams)
features touch focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than competition (117 grams)
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography factors
55
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (380 shots)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
38
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
35
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (271g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
31
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic S3
 Olympus Stylus SH-2Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SH-2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2015-03-11 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII Venus Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.5fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
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 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271g (0.60 lbs) 117g (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 380 images 250 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $399 $110