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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2014
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
  • Introduced January 2013
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-850 iHS was introduced 13 months later than the SZ3 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summation of how the TG-850 iHS matches up versus the SZ3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Panasonic SZ3

 TG-850 iHS SZ3 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2013Fresher by 13 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 SZ3 TG-850 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic SZ3

 TG-850 iHS SZ3 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-850 iHS provides exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ3 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the TG-850 iHS and the SZ3.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-850 iHS and SZ3 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-850 iHS and SZ3.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs but you have to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The newer TG-850 iHS should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography factors
35
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
30
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
69
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ3
51
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery (330 per charge)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography features
72
better than average battery (330 per charge)
weather proofing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (21mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography factors
50
decently wide (21mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
better than average battery (330 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
39
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging info
33
decently wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have external mic port
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic SZ3
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-01-29 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII -
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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Peak resolution 4616 x 3464 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1/2 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 4.10 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Yes None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218 gr (0.48 pounds) 126 gr (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 pictures 250 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $250 $150