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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Key Specs

Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus SH-2
Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF2
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the SH-3 (16MP) and GF1 (12MP) and the SH-3 (1/2.3") and GF1 (Four Thirds) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SH-3 was revealed 6 years later than the GF1 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SH-3 grades against the GF1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Panasonic GF1

 SH-3 GF1 
RevealedFebruary 2016October 2009More recent by 77 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Olympus SH-3

 GF1 SH-3 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic GF1

 SH-3 GF1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SH-3 has physical measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Panasonic GF1 has dimensions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SH-3 and the GF1.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SH-3 and GF1 is 88 and 85 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements simply by going through specs. The visual below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-3 and GF1.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SH-3 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Olympus SH-3 will show more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The newer SH-3 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography information
Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography information
44
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Street photography advice
Panasonic GF1 Street photography advice
70
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
provides touch focus
lighter than average (271g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
64
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Sports photography info
Panasonic GF1 Sports photography info
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
44
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
max fps low (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Travel photography features
Panasonic GF1 Travel photography features
74
better than average battery (380 shots)
lighter than average (271 grams)
provides touch focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
59
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SH-3
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF1
55
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (380 per charge)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
60
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Vlogging camera
35
decently wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than average (271g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic port
25
features face detect focus
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic GF1
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2016-02-08 2009-10-14
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine HD
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 11.5 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format H.264 AVCHD Lite
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271 grams (0.60 lbs) 385 grams (0.85 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 54
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 513
Other
Battery life 380 photographs 380 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $579 $400