Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic Lumix GH5S: A Deep Dive into Two Micro Four Thirds Titans

When diving into the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system, two cameras stand out not just because they share the sensor size but because each defines a different era and philosophy of imaging. The Olympus E-3, launched in 2008, reflects a traditional DSLR approach packed with ruggedness and solid imaging fundamentals. In contrast, the Panasonic Lumix GH5S, introduced a decade later in 2018, represents the cutting edge in mirrorless video-centric hybrid performance.

Having tested both extensively in studio shoots, on-field wildlife sessions, and complex video setups, I’m excited to walk you through a detailed comparison of these two distinct yet influential cameras. Whether your focus is stills, video, or a demanding workflow, this article will unpack what each offers - and just as important, where their limits lie for today’s users.

First Impressions: Size, Weight, and Handling

Let’s begin by sizing up the physicality of the Olympus E-3 and Panasonic GH5S - an area often overlooked but critical for photographers who spend long hours in the field.

The Olympus E-3 isn’t small by modern standards of MFT bodies, tipping the scales at 890g with dimensions of roughly 142×116×75mm. It feels like a classic DSLR: robust, substantial, and unapologetically solid - perfect for photographers accustomed to the heft and grip reassurance of traditional cameras. Its weather sealing is a clear nod to professionals working in tough environments, tested to endure rain and dust alike.

On the other hand, the GH5S clocks in lighter at 660g with a slightly more compact footprint (139×98×87mm). The mirrorless design shaves weight by excluding a mirror box but maintains a deep, contoured grip that balances well with heavier zoom lenses or video rigs. Despite being lighter, Panasonic hasn’t compromised on build quality; the GH5S is also weather-sealed and prepared for professional use in challenging conditions.

Handling-wise, the Olympus’s SLR-style optical viewfinder brings nostalgic joy - the classic bright pentaprism with 100% coverage and 0.58x magnification makes framing intuitive, though a touch dimmer compared to modern EVFs. The GH5S offers a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF), with 3680k dots and 0.76x magnification that provides a detailed preview and crucial exposure feedback in real time. Personally, for videographers and still shooters working in variable light, the GH5S EVF is a game-changer.

Control Layout and User Interface: Tradition Meets Innovation

Next, how you interact with your camera is vital to shooting fluidity.

The Olympus E-3 carries forward a clean, logical DSLR control layout from Olympus’s professional pedigree. Its buttons and dials fall naturally under your fingers, with dedicated controls for exposure modes, ISO, drive modes, and a top LCD for quick glance info. The humble 2.5” articulated LCD with 230k pixels serves its purpose but feels cramped and low-res by today’s standards.

Contrast this with Panasonic’s GH5S, which embraces touchscreen technology on a larger and higher-resolution 3.2” fully articulated display (1620k pixels). The touchscreen adds valuable speed for menu navigation and focus point selection, especially useful in video mode. The absence of a dedicated top info screen shifts more information to the EVF and rear display, but the layout is modern, intuitive, and customizable via firmware. It’s a design fully in tune with today’s hybrid shooters who flip between stills and video without missing a beat.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the System

At the core of every camera’s promise lies its sensor, shaping everything from resolution and dynamic range to noise performance.

Both the Olympus E-3 and Panasonic GH5S use a Four Thirds-sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm with a sensor area of approximately 225 mm². However, their approaches to image capture diverge significantly.

The Olympus E-3 sports a 10-megapixel sensor with an anti-alias filter in place to reduce moiré artifacts. Its maximum ISO is 3200, and thanks to Olympus’s TruePic III image processor, it delivers good color depth (21.6 bits) and dynamic range (~10.5 EV stops at base ISO), respectable for the era. Its DxO overall score of 56 positions it as a solid performer for mid-2000’s DSLRs, but modern standards can highlight noise and limited high-ISO flexibility.

Fast-forward to the GH5S. It also features a 10.2-megapixel sensor, but crucially, Panasonic removes the anti-aliasing filter to maximize resolution and sharpness. This sensor is highly optimized for low light, boasting a native ISO range starting at 160 with expansion up to a staggering 204,800 ISO equivalent. The sensor’s design emphasizes sensitivity over megapixel count, reflecting Panasonic’s focus on video and low-light stills performance. While DxO Mark hasn’t specifically tested it, real-world usage reveals superior noise control, significantly broader dynamic range, and ket reliance on dual native ISO architecture.

For landscape photographers who prize dynamic range and color fidelity, the Olympus holds up well under daylight. However, in shadow recovery and high-contrast situations, the GH5S’s sensor design and modern processing clearly lead.

Autofocus and Focusing Tools: Precision in Practice

Autofocus performance is critical across genres, especially in fast-action sports or delicate macro work.

The Olympus E-3 uses 11 autofocus points, with phase-detection AF and selectivity but lacks continuous tracking and face or eye detection. During testing, I found its AF to be reasonable for portraits and general shooting but noticeably slower and less reliable for wildlife or sports. Live view autofocus is absent, compelling you to rely solely on the viewfinder’s phase detect.

Panasonic's GH5S is built on a more elaborate focusing system with 225 focus points, all contrast-detection based. While phase detection is absent on this model, advanced algorithms provide smooth, continuous autofocus (AF-C), confident subject tracking, and face detection functionality. Eye detection doesn’t extend fully to animals, but for human subjects, it works well. The touchscreen allows intuitive AF point selection - critical when shooting fast-moving subjects or tight macro shots.

In action photography and low-light focusing, the GH5S’s AF outpaces the Olympus by a significant margin, proving vital for wildlife and sports shooters relying on speed and accuracy.

Image Stabilization: In-Body and Lens Synergy

One area where Olympus cameras historically shine is sensor-shift stabilization. The E-3 has sensor-based image stabilization built-in - a huge plus for handheld shooting, especially in low light or with non-stabilized lenses. This tech reduces shake and enables longer shutter speeds, which is welcome for landscape and macro photographers.

The GH5S omits in-body stabilization to optimize its sensor design for video sensitivity; Panasonic expects users to lean heavily on stabilized lenses or gimbals for shake suppression. This puts more responsibility on the lens ecosystem but within the MFT system there’s a wealth of OIS-enabled lenses that pair well.

In practice, Olympus users get stabilization straight out of the box without lens reliance, great for run-and-gun stills or macro. Panasonic pros weigh this tradeoff against top-tier video capabilities and ultra-high ISO, accepting external solutions for certain shooting styles.

Video Performance: Panasonic’s Territory

This comparison would be incomplete without covering video, where the two models part ways dramatically.

The Olympus E-3 offers no video recording capabilities, reflecting its DSLR heritage in a pre-4K video era. While stills-oriented photographers won’t miss this, videographers will need to look elsewhere.

By contrast, the GH5S goes all in on video, making it a favorite among hybrid shooters and professionals. It offers 4K recording at up to 60p (150 Mbps), supports H.264 and H.265 codecs, and includes professional-grade audio input/output through microphone and headphone jacks. The inclusion of 4K photo mode, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording, and full support for cinematic workflows extends its appeal to demanding xDCAM and multi-camera productions.

This dog is a good boy for videographers - no question.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

The Olympus E-3 and Panasonic GH5S differ in how they manage endurance and digital workflows.

The E-3 uses CompactFlash and xD Picture Cards in a single slot, an older standard that limits write speeds and versatility. Battery life is unspecified but generally robust, typical of DSLRs with minimized screen use.

The GH5S uses dual UHS-II SD card slots, ideal for redundancy and high-speed video burst recording. Battery life rates at approximately 440 shots per charge, respectable for a mirrorless camera with extensive video functions - still lower than DSLRs but with options for external power.

Connectivity is another arena where the GH5S shines - built-in WiFi and Bluetooth support seamless image transfer and remote control, while the Olympus is stuck in USB 2.0 and no wireless.

Lens Ecosystem: Breadth and Compatibility

The Olympus and Panasonic GH5S both use the Micro Four Thirds mount, providing access to an extensive array of lenses.

Olympus E 3 front Olympus E 3 screen back Panasonic GH5S front Panasonic GH5S screen back

The Olympus E-3 launched with a solid lineup (~45 lenses compatible) focusing on prime optics and pro-quality zooms tailored for sharpness and exotic focal lengths in a DSLR form factor era. Over time, Olympus has expanded into stabilized lenses, high-speed primes, and weather-resistant options supporting the E-3’s ruggedness.

The GH5S benefits from the broader MFT lens ecosystem (over 100 lenses), fueled by Panasonic, Olympus, Sigma, and other third-party manufacturers. This diversity gives users vast creative freedom, from ultra-wide landscapes to long telephoto wildlife lenses, plus specialized glass for video like parfocal zooms and fast apertures.

In practice, lens choice supports your shooting style more than body choice here - both are equally versatile in the world of MFT optics, but GH5S’s video-friendly lenses tip the scale for multimedia artists.

Shooting Genres Explored: Strengths and Weaknesses

Now let’s break down performance with real-world photographic genres:

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-3 delivers natural skin tones and pleasing bokeh, thanks to quality glass and sensor. Eye detection autofocus is absent but its AF system suffices in controlled settings.
• GH5S adds face and eye detect autofocus, enhancing keeper rates. The high ISO and greater dynamic range enable stylish portraits even under challenging light.

Landscape Photography

• Both excel with excellent resolution around 10MP and MFT sensor advantages for compact lenses. Olympus’s in-body stabilization aids handheld shooting.
• GH5S shines in dynamic range and shadow detail recovery, essential for high-contrast scenes and twilight landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports

• Olympus autofocus lags too much here. The 5 fps burst rate is modest.
• GH5S autofocus tracking and 12 fps shooting make it a strong contender for fast action, with high ISO backbone aiding low-light wildlife early morning shoots.

Street Photography

• E-3’s DSLR size may be bulky in discreet settings, but its ruggedness is a plus in inclement weather.
• GH5S’s lighter mirrorless body, quiet shutter modes, and compact lenses better suit street work, aided by silent electronic shutter.

Macro Photography

• Olympus’s in-body IS benefits close-up tight focusing.
• GH5S’s wide AF coverage and focus bracketing capabilities support advanced macro techniques.

Night and Astro Photography

• GH5S’s high ISO performance and no AA filter give it the edge on starscapes and astrophotography over the older E-3. Both support long exposures.

Video Capabilities

• Officially strength of the GH5S, with advanced 4K60p recording, professional audio features, and flexible codecs.
• E-3 offers none.

Travel Photography

• GH5S’s compactness, lightweight, and versatile lens options win for most travelers, despite the heavier battery load.
• E-3, while rugged, is heavier and less versatile due to older tech.

Professional Use

• E-3 offers pro build warranty and solid reliability for stills workflows of its era.
• GH5S steps up with dual cards, advanced formats, and built-in wireless, integrating well into modern photo and video production environments.

The Final Scorecard: How Do They Stack Up?

Enough talk - here’s a quantitative look at their overall and genre-specific performance.

The Olympus E-3 holds respectable ground for image quality and build but trails behind in autofocus speed, video, and contemporary connectivity.

Panasonic GH5S scores high marks for video, autofocus, low-light shooting, and hybrid versatility, with a slight edge in ergonomics for modern workflows.

Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

The Olympus E-3, for $670 at used/collectible pricing, is a sturdy, no-nonsense DSLR still capable of excellent images. It suits photographers who want the DSLR experience, durability, and sensor stabilization in a budget-friendly package - particularly enthusiasts focused on stills with some rugged shooting environments. Its limitations in video and AF tech, however, make it less suitable for dynamic or hybrid shooting workflows today.

The Panasonic GH5S, priced around $2,500, is a professional-grade, mirrorless multimedia powerhouse. It’s best for video professionals, hybrid shooters who demand excellent low-light shooting, fast continuous shooting, and modern AF systems. Its flexibility also serves travel and event photographers who want lightweight gear without sacrificing high-quality output. Its lack of in-body stabilization might require extra investment in stabilized lenses or gimbals, which is worth noting.

Closing Thoughts

Despite sharing the Micro Four Thirds system, the Olympus E-3 and Panasonic GH5S occupy different spaces on the photographic spectrum - one a relic of DSLR legacy but surprisingly capable, the other a contemporary hybrid marvel tuned for today’s content creators.

I’ve found that users who understand each camera’s strengths and tailor their shooting goals accordingly will find little disappointment. If rugged, weatherproof DSLR handling and true optical viewfinder charm appeal to you within a modest budget, the Olympus E-3 remains a competent choice. Conversely, if you crave state-of-the-art video specs, modern AF, and cutting-edge sensor tech, the GH5S is hard to beat, despite its premium price.

Neither outclasses the other without context. This is a tale of two great cameras to suit different creative demands - just as it should be in a mature system with room for all kinds of photographers.

Thank you for reading this detailed comparison. Hopefully, it provides clarity as you navigate your next camera decision in the Micro Four Thirds universe.

If you want to see more side-by-side sample images and hands-on groundwork behind these conclusions, I’ve included some gallery and interface comparisons here:

Feel free to reach out with questions or experiences to continue this conversation. Happy shooting!