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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-2 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 - 111 x 67 x 29mm
  • Introduced June 2013
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-2 iHS (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The TG-2 iHS was launched 3 years after the ZR3 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the TG-2 iHS grades vs the ZR3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Panasonic ZR3

 TG-2 iHS ZR3 
IntroducedJune 2013January 2010More modern by 42 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution610k230kCrisper screen (+380k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS

 ZR3 TG-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Panasonic ZR3

 TG-2 iHS ZR3 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-2 iHS enjoys physical measurements of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the TG-2 iHS against the ZR3.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-2 iHS and ZR3 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes just by going over technical specs. The image below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-2 iHS and ZR3.

As you can tell, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Panasonic ZR3 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The fresher TG-2 iHS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography info
27
provides face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
28
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Street photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography information
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-2 iHS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR3
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery life (350 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
36
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
provides tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography highlights
68
good battery life (350 shots)
weather proofing
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
64
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
46
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
good battery life (350 shots)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
37
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Vlogging information
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging information
36
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have mic jack
29
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-2 iHS and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-06-28 2010-01-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD II
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 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 610 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.30 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, 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 230 grams (0.51 lbs) 159 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model Li-90B -
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $380 $280