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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-100 was released 3 years after the S3 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SP-100 matches up versus the S3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Panasonic S3

 SP-100 S3 
ReleasedJanuary 2014January 2011More modern by 38 months
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus SP-100

 S3 SP-100 

Common features in the Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic S3

 SP-100 S3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-100 features exterior dimensions of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") along with a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view size comparison of the SP-100 versus the S3.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-100 and S3 is 63 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by going over technical specs. The picture underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-100 and S3.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Olympus SP-100 to offer extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The newer SP-100 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Portrait photography details
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography details
44
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-100
Street photography with Panasonic S3
42
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (594g)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Sports photography details
Panasonic S3 Sports photography details
53
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
includes tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-100
Travel photography with Panasonic S3
53
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (594 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
68
lighter than competitors (117g)
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Landscape photography info
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography info
47
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
38
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-100
Vlogging with Panasonic S3
29
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic socket
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
does not offer selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors in class (594 grams)
31
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic S3
 Olympus Stylus SP-100Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-01-29 2011-01-05
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.9-6.5 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 920 thousand dots -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 594 grams (1.31 lb) 117 grams (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 330 photographs 250 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $400 $110