• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-S3 advantages over Olympus TG-860

  • Less expensive
    $130 vs $280 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    20 mm vs 27 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    117g vs 224g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    8 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus TG-860 advantages over Panasonic DMC-S3

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    10 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    21 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-S1

Panasonic DMC-S3
Panasonic DMC-S1
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • $120
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Panasonic DMC-S1

Olympus TG-860
Panasonic DMC-S1
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $120
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic DMC-S1

Compared to Fujifilm JV200

Panasonic DMC-S3
Fujifilm JV200
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $110
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Fujifilm JV200

Olympus TG-860
Fujifilm JV200
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $110
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus TG-860 vs Fujifilm JV200

Compared to Pentax RS1500

Panasonic DMC-S3
Pentax RS1500
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Pentax RS1500

Olympus TG-860
Pentax RS1500
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Olympus TG-860 vs Pentax RS1500

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Panasonic DMC-S3
Olympus TG-850
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Olympus TG-850

Olympus TG-860
Olympus TG-850
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus TG-860 vs Olympus TG-850

Compared to Olympus TG-870

Panasonic DMC-S3
Olympus TG-870
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Thinner
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Olympus TG-870

Olympus TG-860
Olympus TG-870
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen

Compare Olympus TG-860 vs Olympus TG-870

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