Clicky

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic TS30

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30 front
Portability
95
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic TS30 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
  • Announced March 2014
  • Successor is Olympus TG-4
Panasonic TS30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 142g - 104 x 58 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FT30
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic TS30 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus TG-3 versus Panasonic TS30, both Waterproof cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the TS30 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The TG-3 was introduced 9 months prior to the TS30 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the TG-3 grades against the TS30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Panasonic TS30

 TG-3 TS30 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS30 over the Olympus TG-3

 TS30 TG-3 
RevealedJanuary 2015March 2014Newer by 9 months

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic TS30

 TG-3 TS30 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic TS30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-3 has got external dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") and a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Panasonic TS30 has measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus TG-3 versus Panasonic TS30 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 based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the TG-3 versus the TS30.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic TS30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-3 and TS30 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic TS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic TS30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out technical specs. The image below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-3 and TS30.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of images but you need to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged TG-3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic TS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic TS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic TS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic TS30 Portrait photography advice
37
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
35
MP count decent (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography information
Panasonic TS30 Street photography information
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than others (247g)
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
lighter than competition (142g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography info
Panasonic TS30 Sports photography info
47
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery pack (330 CIPA)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
42
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
environment proof
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
max fps low (1.3 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-3
Travel photography with Panasonic TS30
74
good battery pack (330 CIPA)
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than others (247g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
74
lighter than competition (142 grams)
environment proof
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic TS30 Landscape photography factors
56
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
environment proofing
good battery pack (330 CIPA)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
43
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging factors
Panasonic TS30 Vlogging factors
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
heavier than others (247 grams)
33
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (142 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic TS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic TS30
 Olympus Tough TG-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FT30
Category Waterproof Waterproof
Announced 2014-03-31 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.9-5.7
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 1.3 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247 gr (0.54 lbs) 142 gr (0.31 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 104 x 58 x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 330 images 250 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $350 $180