• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 130.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-S3 advantages over Olympus VG-120

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 250 vs 160 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Longer exposure
    8 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 200 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus VG-120 advantages over Panasonic DMC-S3

  • More telephoto lens reach
    130 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away

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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus Stylus-5010

Panasonic DMC-S3
Olympus Stylus-5010
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $106
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Olympus Stylus-5010

Olympus VG-120
Olympus Stylus-5010
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $106
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out

Compare Olympus VG-120 vs Olympus Stylus-5010

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 VG-120
Panasonic DMC-S1
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $120
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Olympus VG-120 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 VG-120
Fujifilm JV200
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Wider angle lens
  • $110
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compare Olympus VG-120 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 VG-120
Pentax RS1500
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax RS1500

Compared to Canon A2300

Panasonic DMC-S3
Canon A2300
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure

Compare Panasonic DMC-S3 vs Canon A2300

Olympus VG-120
Canon A2300
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compare Olympus VG-120 vs Canon A2300

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