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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
26
Overall
31
Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Launched January 2010
  • Alternate Name is mju Tough 3000
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus Tough-3000 and Panasonic ZS3, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the Tough-3000 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is very comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The Tough-3000 was revealed 8 months after the ZS3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the Tough-3000 grades versus the ZS3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus Tough-3000 over the Panasonic ZS3

 Tough-3000 ZS3 
ReleasedJanuary 2010May 2009Newer by 8 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus Tough-3000

 ZS3 Tough-3000 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus Tough-3000 and Panasonic ZS3

 Tough-3000 ZS3 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus Tough-3000 features outside measurements of 96mm x 65mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus Tough-3000 and Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the Tough-3000 against the ZS3.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Tough-3000 and ZS3 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions simply by seeing technical specs. The image here will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the Tough-3000 and ZS3.

As you can tell, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Olympus Tough-3000 to show extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more recent Tough-3000 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography highlights
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
19
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography details
36
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus Tough-3000
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
61
weather proof
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
35
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
35
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
30
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus Tough-3000 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus Stylus Tough-3000Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Other name mju Tough 3000 Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-01-07 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.1 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 AVCHD Lite
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lbs) 229 gr (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 65 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $0 $200