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Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Olympus TG-3
(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
  • Revealed March 2014
  • Refreshed by Olympus TG-4
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus TG-3 versus Panasonic S1, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and S1 (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The TG-3 was announced 3 years after the S1 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the TG-3 matches up against the S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Panasonic S1

 TG-3 S1 
AnnouncedMarch 2014January 2011More modern by 40 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Olympus TG-3

 S1 TG-3 

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic S1

 TG-3 S1 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus TG-3 offers physical dimensions 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 S1 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-3 versus Panasonic S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the TG-3 and the S1.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-3 and S1 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The image below might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-3 and S1.

As you can tell, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Olympus TG-3 to offer greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The fresher TG-3 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography advice
37
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography highlights
Panasonic S1 Street photography highlights
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition (247g)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography details
Panasonic S1 Sports photography details
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery power (330 shots)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
74
good battery power (330 CIPA)
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competition (247 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
62
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography factors
56
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
good battery power (330 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S1 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic support
heavier than competition (247 grams)
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
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Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic S1
 Olympus Tough TG-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Tough TG-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-03-31 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII Venus Engine IV
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT-LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247 gr (0.54 lbs) 117 gr (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 330 pictures 240 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $350 $269