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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Olympus TG-820 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-820 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
  • 206g - 101 x 65 x 26mm
  • Launched February 2012
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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF5
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-820 iHS (12MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the TG-820 iHS (1/2.3") and GF3 (Four Thirds) offer different sensor sizing.

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The TG-820 iHS was introduced 7 months later than the GF3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-820 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the TG-820 iHS grades against the GF3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-820 iHS over the Panasonic GF3

 TG-820 iHS GF3 
IntroducedFebruary 2012August 2011Fresher by 7 months
Screen resolution1030k460kCrisper screen (+570k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus TG-820 iHS

 GF3 TG-820 iHS 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-820 iHS and Panasonic GF3

 TG-820 iHS GF3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-820 iHS features outside dimensions of 101mm x 65mm x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Panasonic GF3 has measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the TG-820 iHS vs the GF3.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-820 iHS and GF3 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The graphic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-820 iHS and GF3.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide the same megapixel count albeit different sensor sizing. The TG-820 iHS comes with the tinier sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field more difficult. The more recent TG-820 iHS provides an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Portrait photography camera
27
has face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
55
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-820 iHS
Street photography with Panasonic GF3
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
70
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus via touch
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Sports photography factors
Panasonic GF3 Sports photography factors
34
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
38
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
slow fps (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (300 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Travel photography info
Panasonic GF3 Travel photography info
59
weather proof
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (220 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
58
provides focus via touch
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
bad battery life (300 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Landscape photography features
Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography features
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery life (300 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-820 iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic GF3
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
32
built-in touchscreen
has face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external microphone port
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-820 iHS and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus TG-820 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus TG-820 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-02-08 2011-08-11
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,030 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206 gr (0.45 lb) 264 gr (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 101 x 65 x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 50
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 459
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 300 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $500 $360