Clicky

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15 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 Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Released February 2008
  • Replaced the Olympus E-1
  • Successor is Olympus E-5
Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the FS15 (12MP) is fairly close but the E-3 (Four Thirds) and FS15 (1/2.3") come with different sensor measurements.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The E-3 was introduced 11 months earlier than the FS15 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-3 matches up vs the FS15 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Panasonic FS15

 E-3 FS15 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Olympus E-3

 FS15 E-3 
ReleasedJanuary 2009February 2008Newer by 11 months
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Panasonic FS15

 E-3 FS15 
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-3 provides outside measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) and the Panasonic FS15 has specifications of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-3 against the FS15.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and FS15 is 56 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching specifications. The pic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-3 and FS15.

Plainly, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-3 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic FS15 will provide you with extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged E-3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-3
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS15
56
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (10MP)
20
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography highlights
Panasonic FS15 Street photography highlights
69
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Sports photography camera
57
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (5.0 fps)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FS15 Travel photography advice
55
environment proofing
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography factors
56
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
small screen (2.5 inches)
MP count low (10MP)
no Time Lapse mode
27
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FS15 Vlogging advice
18
lack of video recording
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Panasonic FS15
 Olympus E-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
Class Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Released 2008-02-20 2009-01-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 29-145mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m -
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 890 gr (1.96 lbs) 136 gr (0.30 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 571 not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $670 $180