Clicky

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZS20 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
  • Introduced March 2014
  • Successor is Olympus TG-4
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS25
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Olympus TG-3 versus Panasonic ZS20, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is fairly close and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The TG-3 was released 24 months after the ZS20 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a concise view of how the TG-3 scores vs the ZS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Panasonic ZS20

 TG-3 ZS20 
IntroducedMarch 2014April 2012More modern by 24 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus TG-3

 ZS20 TG-3 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic ZS20

 TG-3 ZS20 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you should factor in its weight and size. The Olympus TG-3 features outside measurements 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 ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Olympus TG-3 versus Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the TG-3 compared to the ZS20.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and ZS20 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes purely by looking through a spec sheet. The pic underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-3 and ZS20.

Clearly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Olympus TG-3 to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer TG-3 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography details
37
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
30
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-3
Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than others (247g)
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
lighter than average in class (206g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography info
47
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery (330 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports tracking focus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography advice
74
better than average battery (330 shots)
environment sealing
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than others (247 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
68
lighter than average in class (206g)
offers focus by touch
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (260 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
56
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
environment sealing
better than average battery (330 shots)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery life (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging info
34
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no microphone jack
more heavy than others (247g)
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone support
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus Tough TG-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Tough TG-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-03-31 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.40 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 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247g (0.54 lbs) 206g (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photographs 260 photographs
Battery style 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 type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $350 $349