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Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Olympus VR-320
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-300mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 101 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Updated by Olympus VR-330
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the VR-320 (14MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The VR-320 was announced 2 years after the ZS3 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the VR-320 grades vs the ZS3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Panasonic ZS3

 VR-320 ZS3 
AnnouncedJuly 2011May 2009Newer by 27 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus VR-320

 ZS3 VR-320 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic ZS3

 VR-320 ZS3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus VR-320 features outer measurements of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the VR-320 compared to the ZS3.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VR-320 and ZS3 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the VR-320 and ZS3.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Olympus VR-320 to render greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher VR-320 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography features
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
19
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-320 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (158g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VR-320
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
47
incredible zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography advice
70
lighter than others (158g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
63
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography advice
42
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
35
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-320 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
32
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
lighter than others (158g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus VR-320Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VR-320 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-19 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-300mm (12.5x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 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 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 gr (0.35 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $179 $200