Clicky

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3 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
  • Released March 2014
  • New Model is Olympus TG-4
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
  • Released January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The TG-3 was unveiled 4 years after the ZR3 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the TG-3 scores vs the ZR3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Panasonic ZR3

 TG-3 ZR3 
ReleasedMarch 2014January 2010More modern by 51 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus TG-3

 ZR3 TG-3 

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic ZR3

 TG-3 ZR3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-3 enjoys exterior measurements 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 ZR3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the TG-3 vs the ZR3.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and ZR3 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The picture below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-3 and ZR3.

As you can tell, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus TG-3 to offer you greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger TG-3 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography info
37
good MP (16MP)
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
28
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography details
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography details
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition (247g)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography highlights
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery life (330 shots)
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
36
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography information
74
good battery life (330 CIPA)
environment proofing
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competition (247g)
display is not selfie friendly
64
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography factors
56
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
environment proofing
good battery life (330 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
37
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging factors
34
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (247 grams)
29
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus Tough TG-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-03-31 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII Venus Engine HD II
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 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 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 capability
Screen tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247 gr (0.54 pounds) 159 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model 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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $350 $280