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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-1 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 112 x 67 x 30mm
  • Introduced May 2012
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
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-1 iHS (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The TG-1 iHS was introduced 3 years later than the ZS3 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the TG-1 iHS scores against the ZS3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-1 iHS over the Panasonic ZS3

 TG-1 iHS ZS3 
RevealedMay 2012May 2009More recent by 37 months
Screen resolution610k460kCrisper screen (+150k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus TG-1 iHS

 ZS3 TG-1 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-1 iHS and Panasonic ZS3

 TG-1 iHS ZS3 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-1 iHS features external measurements of 112mm x 67mm x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the TG-1 iHS compared to the ZS3.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-1 iHS and ZS3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by going over technical specs. The photograph underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-1 iHS and ZS3.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Olympus TG-1 iHS to offer more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern TG-1 iHS provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
27
offers face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
19
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-1 iHS
Street photography with Panasonic ZS3
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography info
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
good battery life (350 shots)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography factors
68
good battery life (350 shots)
weather sealing
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography factors
46
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
good battery life (350 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
35
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-1 iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
36
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic socket
30
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-1 iHS and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus Tough TG-1 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-05-08 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 610 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230g (0.51 pounds) 229g (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 67 x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 350 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI90B -
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media - SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $399 $200