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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Old Model is Olympus SH-2
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Olympus SH-3 versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the SH-3 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SH-3 was manufactured 6 years after the ZS3 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the SH-3 grades against the ZS3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Panasonic ZS3

 SH-3 ZS3 
ReleasedFebruary 2016May 2009Newer by 83 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus SH-3

 ZS3 SH-3 

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic ZS3

 SH-3 ZS3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you should factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SH-3 offers exterior 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) while the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Olympus SH-3 versus Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SH-3 vs the ZS3.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SH-3 and ZS3 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by going through a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-3 and ZS3.

As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Olympus SH-3 to show extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SH-3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography features
44
MP count good (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
comes with focus via touch
lighter than competitors in class (271g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery life (380 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography highlights
74
good battery life (380 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (271 grams)
comes with focus via touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography factors
55
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (380 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SH-3
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
35
decently wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (271 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SH-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-02-08 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 11.5fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 file format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271 gr (0.60 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $579 $200