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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic XS1 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
  • Released February 2008
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-1
  • New Model is Olympus E-5
Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic XS1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and XS1 (16MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and XS1 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-3 was announced 5 years prior to the XS1 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-3 grades vs the XS1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Panasonic XS1

 E-3 XS1 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Olympus E-3

 XS1 E-3 
IntroducedJanuary 2013February 2008More modern by 59 months
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Panasonic XS1

 E-3 XS1 
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-3 enjoys 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) while the Panasonic XS1 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic XS1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-3 against the XS1.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and XS1 is 56 and 97 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading through a spec sheet. The pic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-3 and XS1.

As you can see, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-3 with its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic XS1 will resolve extra detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged E-3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography factors
56
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
30
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography features
Panasonic XS1 Street photography features
69
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (103g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Sports photography camera
57
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Travel photography camera
55
weather proof
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
69
lighter than competitors (103 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Landscape photography camera
56
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
tiny screen (2.5")
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
39
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging advice
Panasonic XS1 Vlogging advice
18
lack of video recording
31
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (103 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Panasonic XS1
 Olympus E-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2008-02-20 2013-01-07
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 890 grams (1.96 lb) 103 grams (0.23 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery life - 260 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $670 $130