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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FP2

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
17
Overall
28

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FP2 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Launched February 2008
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-5
Panasonic FP2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2010
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FP2 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic FP2, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and FP2 (14MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and FP2 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-3 was brought out 22 months prior to the FP2 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-3 matches up against the FP2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Panasonic FP2

 E-3 FP2 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Olympus E-3

 FP2 E-3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010February 2008More modern by 22 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Panasonic FP2

 E-3 FP2 
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FP2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-3 features outside dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Panasonic FP2 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic FP2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-3 compared to the FP2.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FP2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and FP2 is 56 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FP2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FP2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to see the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing technical specs. The pic underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-3 and FP2.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-3 due to its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic FP2 will provide you with more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged E-3 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FP2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FP2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FP2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FP2 as a Portrait photography camera
56
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low MP (10MP)
28
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FP2 as a Street photography camera
69
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (151g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic FP2 Sports photography factors
57
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (10 megapixels)
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography features
Panasonic FP2 Travel photography features
55
weather proofing
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (10MP)
56
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (151g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-3
Landscape photography with Panasonic FP2
56
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is small (2.5 inch)
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging features
Panasonic FP2 Vlogging features
18
can't record video
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (151 grams)
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FP2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Panasonic FP2
 Olympus E-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2
Type Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Launched 2008-02-20 2010-01-06
Body design Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Available lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 4.90 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890 gr (1.96 lbs) 151 gr (0.33 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 571 not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $670 $80