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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF5

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
54
Overall
50

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF5 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
  • Introduced February 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-1
  • Successor is Olympus E-5
Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF3
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF6
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF5 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic GF5, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the GF5 (12MP) is fairly close and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-3 was launched 5 years prior to the GF5 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic GF5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-3 matches up against the GF5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Panasonic GF5

 E-3 GF5 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Olympus E-3

 GF5 E-3 
ReleasedApril 2012February 2008More recent by 50 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Panasonic GF5

 E-3 GF5 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-3 has got external dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) and the Panasonic GF5 has proportions of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic GF5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-3 vs the GF5.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-3 and GF5 is 56 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-3 and GF5.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic GF5 to render extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The older E-3 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic GF5 Portrait photography info
56
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
55
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography details
Panasonic GF5 Street photography details
69
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
70
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GF5 Sports photography highlights
57
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (10MP)
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Travel photography camera
55
weather proof
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse recording
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
61
boasts focus via touch
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Landscape photography camera
56
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
59
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging advice
Panasonic GF5 Vlogging advice
18
can't shoot video
32
screen is touchscreen
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no mic jack
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Panasonic GF5
 Olympus E-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2008-02-20 2012-04-05
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Venus Engine FHD
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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890 gr (1.96 lbs) 267 gr (0.59 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 50
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 20.5
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 10.0
DXO Low light score 571 573
Other
Battery life - 360 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $670 $600