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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40 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
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus SH-2
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS45
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-3 (16MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is fairly similar and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SH-3 was announced 2 years after the ZS40 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SH-3 scores versus the ZS40 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Panasonic ZS40

 SH-3 ZS40 
LaunchedFebruary 2016January 2014Newer by 26 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Olympus SH-3

 ZS40 SH-3 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic ZS40

 SH-3 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-3 has got exterior dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS40 has measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SH-3 and the ZS40.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SH-3 and ZS40 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over specifications. The picture here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-3 and ZS40.

To sum up, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS40 to deliver greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more modern SH-3 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Portrait photography camera
44
good MP (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
52
you can focus manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography details
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch focus
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (240 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography advice
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
has tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography highlights
74
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
boasts touch focus
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competition (240 grams)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography details
55
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
56
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging advice
35
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic port
34
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (240 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have mic jack
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Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic ZS40
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2016-02-08 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti alias 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 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 11.5 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271g (0.60 lbs) 240g (0.53 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images 300 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $579 $450