Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic SZ3
90 Imaging
40 Features
46 Overall
42


96 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35
Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 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
- 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
- Announced March 2014
- New Model is Olympus TG-4
(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
- Launched January 2013

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview
Below is a detailed assessment of the Olympus TG-3 versus Panasonic SZ3, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The TG-3 was introduced 15 months later than the SZ3 which makes them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the TG-3 matches up vs the SZ3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic SZ3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Tough TG-3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus TG-3 Gallery and Panasonic SZ3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Panasonic SZ3
TG-3 | SZ3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | March 2014 | ![]() | January 2013 | More recent by 15 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Olympus TG-3
SZ3 | TG-3 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic SZ3
TG-3 | SZ3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-3 features exterior dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") along with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).
See the Olympus TG-3 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the TG-3 compared to the SZ3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and SZ3 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor measurements only by checking technical specs. The visual underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-3 and SZ3.
As you have seen, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP and you should expect similar quality of photographs but you may want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The newer TG-3 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications
Olympus Tough TG-3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus Tough TG-3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 |
Category | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2014-03-31 | 2013-01-07 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
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 area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | - |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT-LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 60 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 4.10 m |
Flash options | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data 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 lbs) | 126 gr (0.28 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 112 x 66 x 31mm (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 | 330 pictures | 250 pictures |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LI-92B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $350 | $150 |