Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic S3

Lets look closer at the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty similar but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and S3 (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The XZ-2 iHS was manufactured 24 months later than the S3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the XZ-2 iHS matches up against the S3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus XZ-2 iHS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The entire galleries are available at Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery & Panasonic S3 Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS has physical dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Panasonic S3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the XZ-2 iHS vs the S3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-2 iHS and S3 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Normally, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements only by going over a spec sheet. The photograph here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-2 iHS and S3.

As you can see, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The XZ-2 iHS featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic S3 will deliver greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs much more aggressively. The fresher XZ-2 iHS should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.