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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic G2

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
Portability
72
Imaging
47
Features
60
Overall
52

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic G2 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Introduced February 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-5
Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Older Model is Panasonic G1
  • Replacement is Panasonic G3
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic G2 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic G2, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the G2 (12MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-3 was revealed 3 years prior to the G2 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-3 scores vs the G2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Panasonic G2

 E-3 G2 

Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Olympus E-3

 G2 E-3 
ReleasedJuly 2010February 2008Fresher by 29 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Panasonic G2

 E-3 G2 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic G2 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-3 comes with physical dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Panasonic G2 has dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic G2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the E-3 against the G2.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic G2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and G2 is 56 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic G2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic G2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing technical specs. The photograph below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-3 and G2.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic G2 to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older E-3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic G2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic G2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic G2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic G2 Portrait photography highlights
56
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (10MP)
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic G2 as a Street photography camera
69
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
65
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has focus via touch
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (428g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic G2 Sports photography advice
57
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography information
Panasonic G2 Travel photography information
55
weather proof
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
58
has focus via touch
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (428 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography features
Panasonic G2 Landscape photography features
56
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
57
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-3
Vlogging with Panasonic G2
18
no video
61
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
has face detect focus
has mic port
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
heavier than competition (428g)
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic G2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Panasonic G2
 Olympus E-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2008-02-20 2010-07-12
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 11.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG
Mic 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 grams (1.96 pounds) 428 grams (0.94 pounds)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 53
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 10.3
DXO Low light score 571 493
Other
Battery life - 360 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $670 $1,000