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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GH3

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GH3 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
  • Released February 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus SH-2
Panasonic GH3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GH2
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GH4
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GH3 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic GH3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-3 (16MP) and the GH3 (16MP) is fairly close but the SH-3 (1/2.3") and GH3 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The SH-3 was launched 3 years after the GH3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SH-3 grades versus the GH3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Panasonic GH3

 SH-3 GH3 
ReleasedFebruary 2016September 2012Newer by 42 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Olympus SH-3

 GH3 SH-3 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution614k460kSharper display (+154k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic GH3

 SH-3 GH3 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GH3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SH-3 has got physical dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH3 has dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic GH3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the SH-3 vs the GH3.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GH3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SH-3 and GH3 is 88 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GH3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GH3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing technical specs. The image here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-3 and GH3.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor dimensions. The SH-3 includes the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower DOF trickier. The more recent SH-3 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GH3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography highlights
44
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
71
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Street photography info
Panasonic GH3 Street photography info
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
includes focus via touch
lighter than competition (271g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
65
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports touch focus
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others (550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SH-3
Sports photography with Panasonic GH3
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
good battery life (380 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
63
max frames per second high (20.0 frames per second)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-3
Travel photography with Panasonic GH3
74
good battery life (380 shots)
lighter than competition (271 grams)
includes focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
weather proofing
supports touch focus
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
heavier than others (550g)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic GH3 Landscape photography factors
55
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (380 shots)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GH3 as a Vlogging camera
35
really wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition (271g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone port
65
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic support
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others (550g)
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic GH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic GH3
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SH-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2016-02-08 2012-09-17
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII Venus Engine VII FHD
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 125 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Available lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - OLED Monitor with static touch control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,744k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.67x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 11.5 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file 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 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271g (0.60 lbs) 550g (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 71
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 812
Other
Battery life 380 shots 540 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $579 $799