Clicky

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
26
Overall
31
Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Olympus Tough-3000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Alternate Name is mju Tough 3000
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

The following is a complete review of the Olympus Tough-3000 versus Panasonic SZ8, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the Tough-3000 (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The Tough-3000 was manufactured 5 years before the SZ8 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the Tough-3000 grades versus the SZ8 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus Tough-3000 over the Panasonic SZ8

 Tough-3000 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus Tough-3000

 SZ8 Tough-3000 
RevealedJanuary 2014January 2010Newer by 48 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus Tough-3000 and Panasonic SZ8

 Tough-3000 SZ8 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus Tough-3000 offers physical measurements of 96mm x 65mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has specifications of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus Tough-3000 versus Panasonic SZ8 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the Tough-3000 vs the SZ8.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Tough-3000 and SZ8 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching technical specs. The picture below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the Tough-3000 and SZ8.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ8 to result in greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged Tough-3000 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography factors
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus Tough-3000
Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Sports photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography information
36
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
61
weather proof
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
67
lighter than competition (159 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus Tough-3000
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
35
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery (200 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging information
28
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
32
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (159 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus Tough-3000 and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus Stylus Tough-3000Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Also called as mju Tough 3000 -
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-01-07 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Venus Engine
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.1 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus distance 2cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 grams (0.35 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 65 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 200 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $0 $275