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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-1 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 112 x 67 x 30mm
  • Launched May 2012
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the TG-1 iHS (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-1 iHS was announced 8 months prior to the SZ3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the TG-1 iHS matches up versus the SZ3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-1 iHS over the Panasonic SZ3

 TG-1 iHS SZ3 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution610k230kSharper screen (+380k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Olympus TG-1 iHS

 SZ3 TG-1 iHS 
IntroducedJanuary 2013May 2012More modern by 8 months

Common features in the Olympus TG-1 iHS and Panasonic SZ3

 TG-1 iHS SZ3 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-1 iHS comes with outside measurements of 112mm x 67mm x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ3 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the TG-1 iHS versus the SZ3.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-1 iHS and SZ3 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes just by researching specifications. The picture here may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-1 iHS and SZ3.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ3 to result in greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged TG-1 iHS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography information
27
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
30
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Street photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-1 iHS
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ3
40
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery power (350 shots)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Travel photography details
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography details
68
good battery power (350 per charge)
weather proofing
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
71
lighter than others in class (126g)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
46
rather wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
good battery power (350 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse function
39
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging info
36
rather wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no microphone jack
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-1 iHS and Panasonic SZ3
 Olympus Tough TG-1 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-05-08 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 610k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.10 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230g (0.51 lbs) 126g (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 67 x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 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 350 shots 250 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI90B -
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $399 $150