Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic FS15
90 Imaging
40 Features
46 Overall
42


95 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 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
- 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
- Introduced March 2014
- Later Model is Olympus TG-4
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
- Announced January 2009

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Overview
Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus TG-3 versus Panasonic FS15, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and FS15 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The TG-3 was released 5 years later than the FS15 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the TG-3 matches up against the FS15 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus Tough TG-3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus TG-3 Gallery and Panasonic FS15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Panasonic FS15
TG-3 | FS15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2014 | ![]() | January 2009 | Fresher by 64 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Olympus TG-3
FS15 | TG-3 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic FS15
TG-3 | FS15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch display |
Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-3 features exterior measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS15 has sizing of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus TG-3 versus Panasonic FS15 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the TG-3 versus the FS15.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-3 and FS15 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-3 and FS15.
As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Olympus TG-3 to result in extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern TG-3 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications
Olympus Tough TG-3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus Tough TG-3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 |
Class | Waterproof | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2014-03-31 | 2009-01-16 |
Body design | Compact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic VII | - |
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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | 29-145mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT-LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4s | 60s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash modes | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED | Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 247 gr (0.54 pounds) | 136 gr (0.30 pounds) |
Dimensions | 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") | 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 330 photos | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | LI-92B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $350 | $180 |