Clicky

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
26
Overall
31
Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Olympus Tough-3000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.5-5.1) lens
  • 159g - 96 x 65 x 23mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Also Known as mju Tough 3000
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the Tough-3000 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The Tough-3000 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the SZ3 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a short introduction of how the Tough-3000 matches up vs the SZ3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus Tough-3000 over the Panasonic SZ3

 Tough-3000 SZ3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Olympus Tough-3000

 SZ3 Tough-3000 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2010Fresher by 36 months

Common features in the Olympus Tough-3000 and Panasonic SZ3

 Tough-3000 SZ3 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurement
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus Tough-3000 provides outside measurements of 96mm x 65mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the Tough-3000 vs the SZ3.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Tough-3000 and SZ3 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing only by reading through specifications. The graphic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the Tough-3000 and SZ3.

Plainly, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ3 to give extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older Tough-3000 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
30
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Street Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography advice
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Sports Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography factors
36
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Travel Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography highlights
61
weather sealing
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than competition (126g)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus Tough-3000
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
35
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
39
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging highlights
28
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus Tough-3000 and Panasonic SZ3
 Olympus Stylus Tough-3000Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Also called mju Tough 3000 -
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-07 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-102mm (3.6x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.1 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 lb) 126g (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 65 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 - 250 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $0 $150