Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF1
56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
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85 Imaging
46 Features
47 Overall
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
- Announced February 2008
- Old Model is Olympus E-1
- Renewed by Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
- Revealed October 2009
- Later Model is Panasonic GF2
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Here, we will be comparing the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic GF1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the GF1 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe E-3 was released 20 months earlier than the GF1 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-3 grades versus the GF1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-3 Gallery & Panasonic GF1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Panasonic GF1
| E-3 | GF1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Olympus E-3
| GF1 | E-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | October 2009 | February 2008 | More recent by 20 months | |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Panasonic GF1
| E-3 | GF1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very exact focusing | |||
| Touch screen | Neither contains Touch screen |
Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-3 has got external dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Panasonic GF1 has measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic GF1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the E-3 and the GF1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and GF1 is 56 and 85 respectively.
Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by researching specifications. The graphic here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and GF1.
Plainly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic GF1 to provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The older E-3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.
Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications
| Olympus E-3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model | Olympus E-3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 |
| Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2008-02-20 | 2009-10-14 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | TruePic III | Venus Engine HD |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 23 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Amount of lenses | 45 | 107 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 230k dots | 460k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | - |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 5.0fps | 3.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 13.00 m | 6.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/160 secs |
| 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) |
| Maximum video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
| Video format | - | AVCHD Lite |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 890g (1.96 lbs) | 385g (0.85 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 56 | 54 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 21.6 | 21.2 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 10.5 | 10.3 |
| DXO Low light score | 571 | 513 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 380 shots |
| Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/MMC |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at release | $670 | $400 |