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Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
42
Overall
40
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-860
(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
  • 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Later Model is Olympus TG-870
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Below is a complete review of the Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the TG-860 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The TG-860 was released 5 years later than the ZS3 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the TG-860 matches up vs the ZS3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Panasonic ZS3

 TG-860 ZS3 
IntroducedFebruary 2015May 2009More recent by 70 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus TG-860

 ZS3 TG-860 

Common features in the Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic ZS3

 TG-860 ZS3 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-860 features physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the TG-860 against the ZS3.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-860 and ZS3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by viewing technical specs. The photograph below might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-860 and ZS3.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Olympus TG-860 to result in greater detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher TG-860 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography highlights
35
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography highlights
69
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-860
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
48
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-860
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
71
weather proof
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (21mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography details
47
decently wide (21mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
35
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-860 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
33
decently wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
30
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2015-02-06 2009-05-14
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 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 AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Yes None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 224g (0.49 pounds) 229g (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 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
Battery life 300 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $279 $200