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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2014
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic ZR3, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is very similar and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-850 iHS was unveiled 4 years after the ZR3 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the TG-850 iHS grades against the ZR3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Panasonic ZR3

 TG-850 iHS ZR3 
LaunchedJanuary 2014January 2010Newer by 49 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 ZR3 TG-850 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic ZR3

 TG-850 iHS ZR3 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-850 iHS comes with outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic ZR3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the TG-850 iHS vs the ZR3.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-850 iHS and ZR3 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading technical specs. The pic underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-850 iHS and ZR3.

As you can tell, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Olympus TG-850 iHS to deliver extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images far more aggressively. The newer TG-850 iHS provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
35
resolution is good (16MP)
includes face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
28
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography highlights
69
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography advice
51
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery power (330 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
72
better than average battery power (330 per charge)
environment proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (21mm)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography information
50
quite wide (21mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
better than average battery power (330 shots)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
37
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Vlogging features
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging features
33
quite wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no external mic jack
29
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-01-29 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4616 x 3464 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 1/2 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.30 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 218 gr (0.48 lbs) 159 gr (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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
Battery life 330 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model 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 shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $250 $280