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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 front
Portability
62
Imaging
60
Features
90
Overall
72

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9 Key Specs

Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus SH-2
Panasonic G9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 658g - 137 x 97 x 92mm
  • Introduced November 2017
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SH-3 (16MP) and the G9 (20MP) is relatively close but the SH-3 (1/2.3") and G9 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SH-3 was revealed 21 months prior to the G9 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic G9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SH-3 grades versus the G9 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Panasonic G9

 SH-3 G9 

Reasons to pick Panasonic G9 over the Olympus SH-3

 G9 SH-3 
IntroducedNovember 2017February 2016More modern by 21 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic G9

 SH-3 G9 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SH-3 features outer dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Panasonic G9 has dimensions of 137mm x 97mm x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") and a weight of 658 grams (1.45 lbs).

Check the Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SH-3 against the G9.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SH-3 and G9 is 88 and 62 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing specifications. The picture here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-3 and G9.

To sum up, each of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SH-3 using its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic G9 will render greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SH-3 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SH-3
Portrait photography with Panasonic G9
44
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW files
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
76
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Street photography features
Panasonic G9 Street photography features
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
supports focus via touch
lighter than competition (271 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
75
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SH-3
Sports photography with Panasonic G9
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
great battery (380 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
low battery pack (400 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-3
Travel photography with Panasonic G9
74
great battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition (271 grams)
supports focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
70
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
provides focus via touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (400 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic G9 Landscape photography factors
55
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
saves RAW files
great battery (380 shots)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
76
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
low battery pack (400 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic G9 as a Vlogging camera
35
pretty wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition (271g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
76
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic support
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic G9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic G9
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Panasonic Lumix DC-G9
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-3 Panasonic Lumix DC-G9
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2016-02-08 2017-11-08
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 200
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 225
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.83x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.5 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271 grams (0.60 lb) 658 grams (1.45 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 137 x 97 x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 380 photographs 400 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Single 2
Pricing at release $579 $1,500