• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 38.00mm - 114.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus 1050SW advantages over Panasonic SZ3

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.68 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)

Panasonic SZ3 advantages over Olympus 1050SW

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    250 mm vs 114 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 250 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 38 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/1600 vs 1/1000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus 1050SW

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic SZ3
Panasonic SZ3

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus 1030 SW

Olympus 1050SW
Olympus 1030 SW
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus 1050SW vs Olympus 1030 SW

Panasonic SZ3
Olympus 1030 SW
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Newer
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Olympus 1030 SW

Compared to Olympus Tough-6000

Olympus 1050SW
Olympus Tough-6000
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Wider angle lens

Compare Olympus 1050SW vs Olympus Tough-6000

Panasonic SZ3
Olympus Tough-6000
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Olympus Tough-6000

Compared to Sony DSC-TX7

Olympus 1050SW
Sony DSC-TX7
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $348
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out

Compare Olympus 1050SW vs Sony DSC-TX7

Panasonic SZ3
Sony DSC-TX7
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $348
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony DSC-TX7

Compared to Canon A4000 IS

Olympus 1050SW
Canon A4000 IS
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Olympus 1050SW vs Canon A4000 IS

Panasonic SZ3
Canon A4000 IS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Canon A4000 IS

Compared to Canon 150 IS

Olympus 1050SW
Canon 150 IS
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Olympus 1050SW vs Canon 150 IS

Panasonic SZ3
Canon 150 IS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Canon 150 IS

Compare Other Cameras?