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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic SZ1 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
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus SH-2
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic SZ1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SH-3 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is very well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SH-3 was launched 4 years later than the SZ1 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SH-3 scores against the SZ1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Panasonic SZ1

 SH-3 SZ1 
IntroducedFebruary 2016January 2012More recent by 50 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus SH-3

 SZ1 SH-3 

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic SZ1

 SH-3 SZ1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SH-3 has exterior 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) while the Panasonic SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic SZ1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the SH-3 vs the SZ1.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SH-3 and SZ1 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by checking technical specs. The visual underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-3 and SZ1.

As you can tell, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of images though you should really consider the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher SH-3 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SH-3
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
44
decent MP (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
no manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Street photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography info
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (131 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography highlights
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
great battery life (380 per charge)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography highlights
74
great battery life (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (271g)
has touch focus
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
lighter than average (131g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SH-3
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
55
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (380 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
43
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging factors
35
rather wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone socket
32
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
lighter than average (131 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SH-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2016-02-08 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT Color 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 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 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 271 grams (0.60 lbs) 131 grams (0.29 lbs)
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 pictures 250 pictures
Battery format 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 pricing $579 $179