Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic ZS3
94 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2011
- Replaced the Olympus VR-320
(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
- Launched May 2009
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus VR-330 versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the VR-330 (14MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The VR-330 was manufactured 22 months later than the ZS3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the VR-330 grades against the ZS3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus VR-330 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus VR-330 Gallery & Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VR-330 over the Panasonic ZS3
VR-330 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2011 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 22 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus VR-330
ZS3 | VR-330 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus VR-330 and Panasonic ZS3
VR-330 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus VR-330 comes with exterior measurements of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by 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") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus VR-330 versus Panasonic ZS3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the VR-330 versus the ZS3.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the VR-330 and ZS3 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading specs. The visual here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the VR-330 and ZS3.
As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Olympus VR-330 to offer extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher VR-330 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Olympus VR-330 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus VR-330 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also referred to as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2011-02-08 | 2009-05-14 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III | - |
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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-300mm (12.5x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 460k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
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 input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 158 grams (0.35 lb) | 229 grams (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 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 model | LI-42B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $220 | $200 |