Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic ZR3
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


94 Imaging
36 Features
26 Overall
32
Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
- 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
- Launched July 2011
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
- Announced January 2010
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview
Here, we are looking at the Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic ZR3, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the VG-145 (14MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The VG-145 was announced 19 months later than the ZR3 making them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VG-145 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.
Before going into a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the VG-145 grades against the ZR3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic ZR3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus VG-145 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus VG-145 Gallery & Panasonic ZR3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VG-145 over the Panasonic ZR3
VG-145 | ZR3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2011 | ![]() | January 2010 | Fresher by 19 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus VG-145
ZR3 | VG-145 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic ZR3
VG-145 | ZR3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-145 features outer measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Check out the Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic ZR3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the VG-145 versus the ZR3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VG-145 and ZR3 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the VG-145 and ZR3.
As you can plainly see, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos but you should really take the launch date of the cameras into account. The younger VG-145 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications
Olympus VG-145 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus VG-145 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 |
Also called | - | Lumix DMC-ZX3 |
Class | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-07-27 | 2010-01-26 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic III | Venus Engine HD II |
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 14 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 26-130mm (5.0x) | 25-200mm (8.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-6.5 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1300 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.40 m | 5.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 120g (0.26 pounds) | 159g (0.35 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 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 | 160 images | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | LI-70B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $0 | $280 |