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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS15 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
  • Launched February 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SH-2
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS20
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the SH-3 (16MP) and ZS15 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SH-3 was brought out 3 years after the ZS15 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the SH-3 scores vs the ZS15 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Panasonic ZS15

 SH-3 ZS15 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016June 2012Newer by 44 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Olympus SH-3

 ZS15 SH-3 

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic ZS15

 SH-3 ZS15 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. 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 ZS15 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic ZS15 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the SH-3 and the ZS15.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SH-3 and ZS15 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out specs. The picture below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-3 and ZS15.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus SH-3 to provide extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SH-3 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography advice
44
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
21
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SH-3
Street photography with Panasonic ZS15
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
features touch to focus
lighter than others in class (271g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (208 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography details
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
great battery (380 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
36
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography details
74
great battery (380 shots)
lighter than others in class (271g)
features touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
61
lighter than others in class (208g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery power (260 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography highlights
55
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
saves RAW formats
great battery (380 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
37
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SH-3
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS15
35
rather wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have mic support
33
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (208 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic ZS15
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-02-08 2012-06-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
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
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 11.5 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271 grams (0.60 lbs) 208 grams (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 260 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $579 $279