Clicky

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Olympus TG-630 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
47
Features
48
Overall
47

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-630 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 66 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GF5
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus TG-630 iHS versus Panasonic GF3, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-630 iHS (12MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is pretty similar but the TG-630 iHS (1/2.3") and GF3 (Four Thirds) enjoy totally different sensor size.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The TG-630 iHS was unveiled 18 months later than the GF3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-630 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the TG-630 iHS scores versus the GF3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

        

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-630 iHS over the Panasonic GF3

 TG-630 iHS GF3 
RevealedJanuary 2013August 2011More recent by 18 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus TG-630 iHS

 GF3 TG-630 iHS 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-630 iHS and Panasonic GF3

 TG-630 iHS GF3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-630 iHS offers outer measurements of 98mm x 66mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF3 has dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

See the Olympus TG-630 iHS versus Panasonic GF3 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 are utilising during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the TG-630 iHS versus the GF3.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-630 iHS and GF3 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading technical specs. The visual below may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-630 iHS and GF3.

As you can tell, each of these cameras posses the exact same megapixels albeit not the same sensor measurements. The TG-630 iHS contains the tinier sensor which should make getting bokeh harder. The more recent TG-630 iHS is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Portrait photography camera
26
includes face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
54
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Street photography highlights
Panasonic GF3 Street photography highlights
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
70
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has touch to focus
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Sports photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (300 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Travel photography information
Panasonic GF3 Travel photography information
59
environment proof
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery (220 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
58
has touch to focus
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (300 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography advice
38
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
manual mode not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery (220 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (300 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Vlogging info
Panasonic GF3 Vlogging info
33
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
32
screen is touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have mic support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-630 iHS and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus TG-630 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus TG-630 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-01-08 2011-08-11
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lb) 264 grams (0.58 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 66 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.9") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 50
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.1
DXO Low light score not tested 459
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 300 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $200 $360