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Olympus SH-3

 
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SH-2
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Olympus SH-3 summary

Olympus SH-3 is Olympus's Small Sensor Superzoom camera first released on February of 2016. It uses a 16 MegaPixel, BSI-CMOS 1/2.3" size sensor with a max resolution of 4608 x 3456.

Olympus released this camera in order to update the previous Olympus SH-2 (Read Full Comparison)

The SH-3 is positioned #50 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras & over all #516 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our database. You should test our Smart camera finder to get camera rankings based on your personal requirements.

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Here is a chart of multiple factors used in the rating system.

Olympus SH-3 family

The Olympus SH-3 has a history of related digital cameras. Below, you can identify all previous and more recent models along with main specifications.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Olympus-Stylus-SH-3 front thumbnailOlympus SH-325-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2016
Olympus-Stylus-SH-2 front thumbnailOlympus SH-2
SH-3 vs SH-2
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2015
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Olympus-Stylus-SH-1 front thumbnailOlympus SH-1
SH-3 vs SH-1
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2014
Olympus-Stylus-SP-100 front thumbnailOlympus SP-100
SH-3 vs SP-100
24-1200mm
F2.9-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2014
Olympus-SZ-15 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-15
SH-3 vs SZ-15
23-483mm
F2.8-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Olympus-SZ-16-iHS front thumbnailOlympus SZ-16 iHS
SH-3 vs SZ-16 iHS
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
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Olympus-SH-50 front thumbnailOlympus SH-50
SH-3 vs SH-50
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Olympus-Stylus-SP-820UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-820UZ
SH-3 vs SP-820UZ
22-896mm
F3.4-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2012
Olympus-SZ-31MR-iHS front thumbnailOlympus SZ-31MR iHS
SH-3 vs SZ-31MR iHS
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Olympus-SP-620-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-620 UZ
SH-3 vs SP-620 UZ
25-525mm
F3.1-5.8
16MP1/2.3"2012
Olympus-SZ-12 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-12
SH-3 vs SZ-12
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
14MP1/2.3"2012
OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus
Olympus-SP-810-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-810 UZ
SH-3 vs SP-810 UZ
24-864mm
F2.9-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SZ-11 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-11
SH-3 vs SZ-11
25-500mm
F3.0-6.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SZ-30MR front thumbnailOlympus SZ-30MR
SH-3 vs SZ-30MR
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SZ-10 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-10
SH-3 vs SZ-10
28-504mm
F3.1-4.4
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SP-610UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-610UZ
SH-3 vs SP-610UZ
28-616mm
F3.3-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SP-800-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-800 UZ
SH-3 vs SP-800 UZ
28-840mm
F2.8-5.6
14MP1/2.3"2010
Olympus-SP-600-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-600 UZ
SH-3 vs SP-600 UZ
28-420mm
F3.5-5.4
12MP1/2.3"2010
Olympus-SP-565UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-565UZ
SH-3 vs SP-565UZ
26-520mm
F2.8-4.5
10MP1/2.3"2009
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Olympus-SP-590-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-590 UZ
SH-3 vs SP-590 UZ
26-676mm
F2.8-5.0
12MP1/2.3"2009

Olympus SH-3 Pros and Cons

Here is a list of upsides and downsides of the Olympus SH-3 based on criterias that are oftentimes considered crucial in a camera.

amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built-in flash
does have HDMI port
features face detect focus
features tracking focus
good battery pack (380 per charge)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
great reach (600mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has touchscreen
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
nice screen size (3")
provides touch focus
relatively wide (25mm)
supports RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
can't use external flash
display is not selfie friendly
does not have headphone port
does not have microphone port
does not have phase detect auto focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of aperture priority mode
low resolution screen (460 k dot)
max zoom aperture not good (f6.9)
no shutter priority
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Olympus SH-3 Sensor features

The Olympus SH-3 is run by the TruePic VII processor. The sensor size in the Olympus SH-3 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the ability to capture 4608 x 3456 pixels using aspect ratios of 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. The camera features Image Stabilization (Sensor-shift). In body stabilization is preferable than digital stabilization as the latter might cause cropping.

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The BSI-CMOS sensor has 16 megapixels and supports a native ISO range of 125 - 6400. RAW files are saved which means that you have more room to maneuver in post.

The picture below illustrates the SH-3's sensor size when compared to other common sizes. The SH-3 sensor has a crop factor of 5.8 and is shown in green.

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To get a sense of specific aspect ratios, you can refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Olympus SH-3 dimensions

Olympus SH-3 weighs around 0.60 pounds (271 gr or 9.56 oz) & the dimensions of the camera is 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7"). The weight of typical Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387 gr so the Olympus SH-3 is less heavy as compared to its rivals.

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Listed below is a visual of the Olympus SH-3 with a softdrink to help you get a feel for its size.

Olympus Stylus SH-3 dimensions scale

The top view directly below will illustrate the button layout on the SH-3.

Olympus Stylus SH-3 topview buttons dials

Olympus SH-3 Lens features

The SH-3 includes a fixed lens offering a focal range of 25-600mm making it a 24.0 x zoom which is very good and could let you zoom right in.

At it's widest 25mm, the lens features an aperture of f3.0 and that is quite sluggish and not the best for low light circumstances and you might find it difficult to get good bokeh. You will probably also need to increase your ISO which results in noisy files. At the long end, 600mm is amazing zoom and comes with f6.9 making it pretty sluggish and you would have to utilize slow shutter speeds.

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Olympus SH-3 Connectivity

The SH-3 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • Wireless Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Digital cameras which include NFC or Bluetooth compatibility can easily be used wirelessly via smartphones. You will be able to copy pictures and oftentimes change camera settings without the hassle of connecting directly with the camera.

A few apps also stream a Liveview and hit the shutter whenever you are not close to the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI port, it could be hooked up to an external screen. Virtually all cameras will allow you to charge the battery pack with the USB socket.

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Olympus SH-3 Video features

The max video resolution in the Olympus SH-3 is 3840 x 2160 and you can record in H.264 format. 2160p can provide an excellent resolution for video. You are able to downsample to 1080p in order to get clearer video. Beware of the huge file sizes and make sure you have decent SD cards with good write speed. The body does not have a microphone or headphone jack which means you have absolutely no control over the sound. It is probably a better idea to take a look at another camera in case you require better sound for your video clips.

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Olympus SH-3 Weather Sealing

There is no environment proofing for the Olympus SH-3 so you have to be careful in rainy or dusty situations.

Olympus SH-3 Display and Viewfinder

The Olympus SH-3 houses a 3" fixed display screen having a resolution of 460k dots.

Moreover the display screen is touch friendly which means that you are able to switch focus point and adjust settings with your fingers.

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The View Finder specifications for Olympus SH-3 are the following:

  • ViewFinder None

For bright outdoor situations that make the camera displays washed out and difficult to see, viewfinders are quite helpful.

Olympus SH-3 Shutter features

Olympus SH-3 continuous shooting speed is 11.5 frames/s. The max shutter speed is 1/2000 seconds.

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Olympus SH-3 Flash and Hot shoe features

Olympus SH-3 features just inbuilt flash with no external flash support.

Olympus SH-3 Autofocus features

Olympus SH-3 features only Contrast Based AF & doesn't have Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot quicker and accurate as compared to Contrast Based autofocusing. The camera boasts Face detect which makes it handy for people photography.

Olympus SH-3 has tap to focus. You can easily use your fingers in order to adjust where you focus. It also has Tracking AF for things that move. Olympus SH-3 doesn't have manual focusing. Manual focusing mode is good in low light occasions or you require more exact depth of field control.

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Olympus SH-3 Battery life

The battery pack (LI-92B) for the Olympus SH-3 is designed to last for 380 photos based on the CIPA measurements which is above average ın comparison with its category. The usual Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR has the maximum (600) battery life in this group of cameras.

Below is a list of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras that come with the highest battery life:

Olympus SH-3 for specific categories of photography

The following bar chart indicates a summary of the Olympus SH-3 for specific categories of photography. To understand more, have a look at the specific section below.

Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography highlights

The Olympus SH-3 has a points total of 44 which is awful, and means the camera is simply not suitable to use for portraits. Taking portrait photos leans greatly towards sensor dimension, RAW support & flexibility to utilize off-camera flash.

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megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")

Olympus SH-3 as a Street photography camera

Coming in at a nice points tally of 70, the Olympus SH-3 is a good option to use in street photography. A very good street photography camera gives a fine balance of picture quality plus portability.

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image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
lighter than others (271g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")

Olympus SH-3 as a Sports photography camera

A decent sports photography points tally of 51 means the Olympus SH-3 is relatively suited for taking photos of sports. A camera should have good focusing plus continuous shooting for sports photography.

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great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus

Olympus SH-3 as a Travel photography camera

Size is extremely important in getting a camera for travel. Over-all, the Olympus SH-3 gets a nice 74 for a travelling camera which makes it a very decent pick to buy for your trips.

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good battery power (380 shots)
lighter than others (271 grams)
provides touch to focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)

Olympus SH-3 Landscape photography factors

In case you're planning to buy a digital camera for landscape photographs, the biggest factor will be image quality. The Olympus SH-3 and it's reasonable grade of 55 for a landscape camera is somewhat adequate among its competition.

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pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (380 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")

Vlogging with Olympus SH-3

A camera for vlogging really should come with a articulating display screen, microphone port and if possible IBIS. Taking everything into account, the Olympus SH-3 is simply not suitable as a vlog camera as it comes to a awful score of 35.

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decently wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack

Olympus SH-3 Alternatives

If you want replacements to the SH-3, here is a range of the highest placed cameras that fall under the family of Small Sensor Superzoom.

The chart below shows you a summary of the SH-3 vs it's top ranking competitors mentioned above.

Here are a handful of other cameras you may check out as alternatives. To check out a full comparison, just click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand Name
Olympus
Model type
Olympus Stylus SH-3
Type
Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced
2016-02-08
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
BSI-CMOS
Processor Chip
TruePic VII
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution
4608 x 3456
RAW photos
Maximum native ISO
6400
Lowest native ISO
125
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens mount type
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture
f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range
3cm
Crop factor
5.8
Screen
Range of display
Fixed Type
Display size
3"
Display resolution
460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Min shutter speed
30s
Max shutter speed
1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed
11.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance
8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash modes
Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions
3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution
3840x2160
Video data format
H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless
Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
271 grams (0.60 lb)
Physical dimensions
109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
Other
Battery life
380 photographs
Battery form
Battery Pack
Battery ID
LI-92B
Self timer
Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage
SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots
Single
Price at release
$579