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Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus VR-340 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Olympus VR-340
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.0-5.7) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
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
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the VR-340 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VR-340 was launched 2 years after the ZS3 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief overview of how the VR-340 matches up against the ZS3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus VR-340 over the Panasonic ZS3

 VR-340 ZS3 
IntroducedJanuary 2012May 2009More modern by 33 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus VR-340

 ZS3 VR-340 

Common features in the Olympus VR-340 and Panasonic ZS3

 VR-340 ZS3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus VR-340 has external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and 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-340 vs Panasonic ZS3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the VR-340 and the ZS3.

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the VR-340 and ZS3 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over specs. The image below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the VR-340 and ZS3.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Olympus VR-340 to deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent VR-340 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography factors
34
resolution is good (16MP)
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VR-340
Street photography with Panasonic ZS3
63
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VR-340
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
44
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography information
69
lighter than competition in class (125g)
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
63
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
43
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
35
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
33
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (125g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
30
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-340 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus VR-340Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VR-340 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-01-10 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-240mm (10.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.7 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.80 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes 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
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 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 port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125 grams (0.28 pounds) 229 grams (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 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-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $130 $200