• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 60.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-LX3 advantages over Olympus SZ-16

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.63 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.98 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.0
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus SZ-16 advantages over Panasonic DMC-LX3

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 60 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Newer
    11 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.0 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon S90

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Canon S90
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-LX3 vs Canon S90

Olympus SZ-16
Canon S90
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Canon S90

Compared to Panasonic LX5

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Panasonic LX5
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic DMC-LX3 vs Panasonic LX5

Olympus SZ-16
Panasonic LX5
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Panasonic LX5

Compared to Canon S95

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Canon S95
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-LX3 vs Canon S95

Olympus SZ-16
Canon S95
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Canon S95

Compared to Olympus SZ-12

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Olympus SZ-12
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-LX3 vs Olympus SZ-12

Olympus SZ-16
Olympus SZ-12
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bulb shutter

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Olympus SZ-12

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Olympus SZ-15
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-LX3 vs Olympus SZ-15

Olympus SZ-16
Olympus SZ-15
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Olympus SZ-15

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