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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH2

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH2 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
  • Launched February 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-1
  • Updated by Olympus E-5
Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Released March 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic GH1
  • Successor is Panasonic GH3
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic GH2, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and GH2 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-3 was released 4 years earlier than the GH2 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-3 grades against the GH2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Panasonic GH2

 E-3 GH2 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Olympus E-3

 GH2 E-3 
ReleasedMarch 2011February 2008More recent by 37 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Panasonic GH2

 E-3 GH2 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-3 comes with outside measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Panasonic GH2 has measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") and a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic GH2 in the new Camera and 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 working with during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the E-3 and the GH2.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-3 and GH2 is 56 and 70 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements simply by seeing specifications. The graphic underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-3 and GH2.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic GH2 to provide greater detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The older E-3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic GH2 Portrait photography factors
56
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (10MP)
70
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-3
Street photography with Panasonic GH2
69
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
68
screen articulates
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic GH2 Sports photography advice
57
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
46
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
bad battery life (330 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-3
Travel photography with Panasonic GH2
55
environment proofing
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
62
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse function
bad battery life (330 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-3
Landscape photography with Panasonic GH2
56
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
bad battery life (330 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GH2 as a Vlogging camera
18
can't record video
71
screen is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic socket
no image stabilization
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Panasonic GH2
 Olympus E-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2008-02-20 2011-03-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m 15.60 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
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 890 gr (1.96 lbs) 442 gr (0.97 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 60
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 11.3
DXO Low light score 571 655
Other
Battery life - 330 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $670 $1,000