Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic LZ30

Following is a in depth overview of the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic LZ30, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-3 (16MP) and the LZ30 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SH-3 was announced 3 years after the LZ30 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SH-3 scores versus the LZ30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Stylus SH-3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus SH-3 Gallery & Panasonic LZ30 Gallery.

If you are looking to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SH-3 features physical measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ30 has sizing of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic LZ30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SH-3 versus the LZ30.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SH-3 and LZ30 is 88 and 66 respectively.

Usually, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through specifications. The picture here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-3 and LZ30.

To sum up, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of files but you would want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The more modern SH-3 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.