Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic ZS3

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the SP-100 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SP-100 was introduced 4 years after the ZS3 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the SP-100 matches up against the ZS3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus SP-100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SP-100 Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SP-100 offers external dimensions of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") with a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SP-100 vs the ZS3.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-100 and ZS3 is 63 and 91 respectively.

Often, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The image below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-100 and ZS3.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Olympus SP-100 to deliver greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more modern SP-100 provides an edge in sensor innovation.