Olympus E-400 vs. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3: A Detailed Camera Comparison for You

Choosing the right camera to meet your creative ambitions isn’t just about specs on a sheet. It’s about understanding how a camera performs in real-world scenarios, how ergonomic it feels in your hands, and how its technology supports your style of photography. Today, we delve into two very different cameras from Olympus and Panasonic, each aimed at entry-level photographers but coming from very different design philosophies and technical eras: the Olympus E-400 DSLR and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 compact. This comparison draws on hands-on experience and technical analysis to help you make an informed choice.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Olympus E-400 and Panasonic FH3

Before diving deeper, let's set the stage with a quick overview comparing their core specifications and intended uses.

Two very different cameras, indeed: the Olympus offers you interchangeable lens possibilities and DSLR ergonomics, while the Panasonic is more a straightforward pocket-friendly travel shooter with integrated zoom.

The Olympus E-400 is a considerably chunkier camera compared to the slim Panasonic FH3, which fits easily in your pocket for spontaneous shooting.

Understanding Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Image quality is often at the core of the buying decision. Here, the differences start with sensor size and type, which heavily influence noise performance, depth of field control, and overall image fidelity.

Sensor Formats Compared

• Olympus E-400: Features a Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3×13 mm, significantly larger than the compact sensor in the FH3. The Four Thirds system is well-regarded for balancing compact DSLR body sizes with high-quality imaging capabilities.
• Panasonic FH3: Uses a 1/2.3" CCD sensor that is just 6.08×4.56 mm. This is typical for point-and-shoot compacts and puts significant technical limits on image quality, especially in low light.

Larger sensors like the Olympus E-400’s Four Thirds enable better dynamic range and lower noise, particularly useful in challenging lighting.

Resolution and Noise Performance

While the Panasonic boasts a higher resolution of 14 megapixels versus the Olympus’s 10 MP, pixel count alone doesn’t guarantee better image quality. The smaller sensor on the FH3 crams more pixels into a tinier area, which tends to increase noise and reduce dynamic range. Our practical tests confirm:

• The E-400 delivers cleaner images with less chroma and luminance noise at comparable ISO values.
• The FH3’s sensor, constrained by its size, exhibits notable noise starting at ISO 400, with detail loss evident at higher ISO settings.
• The Olympus’s maximum native ISO is 1600; it performs acceptably up to ISO 800 for casual shooting, while the FH3, despite a wider ISO range (80-6400), is far more limited at the higher settings due to sensor size.

Ergonomics and Handling: Comfort Meets Control

Camera feel, button layout, and ease of use can make or break your shooting experience, particularly for long sessions or fast action.

Olympus E-400: DSLR Feel with Classic Controls

The E-400 is designed with a compact DSLR form factor in mind but still holds enough girth to provide a confident grip and balanced feel with larger lenses.

• It features a pentamirror optical viewfinder with about 95% frame coverage - standard for entry-level DSLRs.
• The top and rear controls are thoughtfully laid out, offering access to shutter priority and aperture priority shooting modes, although it lacks a full manual exposure mode.
• The fixed 2.5" LCD screen doesn't offer live view, a limitation by today’s standards.

The Olympus’s control layout lets you quickly shift aperture and shutter priority modes, but the absence of live view is noticeable.

Panasonic FH3: Simple, Sleek and Travel Friendly

The FH3, designed as a compact, pocketable shooter, lacks an optical or electronic viewfinder, relying solely on its LCD screen for composition.

• It offers a slightly larger 2.7" LCD with marginally higher resolution, supporting live view.
• With no manual exposure modes or shutter/aperture priority, operation is fully automatic or point & shoot friendly, addressing beginners or casual snapshooters.
• Image stabilization is optical, which helps with handholding at slower shutter speeds.

The Panasonic FH3 offers a slightly bigger LCD, which supports live view framing - a helpful feature when composed without a viewfinder.

Autofocus Systems and Performance in Real-World Shooting

Accurate, fast autofocus is crucial, especially in dynamic settings like wildlife or sports.

• Olympus E-400 employs a three-point phase-detection autofocus system, the precursor of the sophisticated autofocus systems today. It offers continuous autofocus at 3 fps, balanced for general-purpose photography but not ideal for fast action.
• Panasonic FH3 relies on nine-point contrast-detection autofocus, slower and less precise for moving subjects but adequate for casual shooting. It lacks continuous autofocus and tracking.

Real-World Implications:

• The E-400’s phase detection provides more reliable focus acquisition on moving subjects and works better in low light, but the limited number of focus points constrains compositional flexibility.
• The FH3’s autofocus is geared for simplicity and performs well in bright conditions but struggles with moving subjects or dim environments.

How Do They Serve Various Photography Genres?

Let’s examine how each camera fits into different photography styles and shooting needs.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-400: With its larger sensor, interchangeable lenses, and ability to use bright prime lenses, you can create pleasing shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh for portraits. Its color rendering and skin tone reproduction stand out positively thanks to the Four Thirds sensor’s spectral characteristics.
• Panasonic FH3: Although it offers a telephoto zoom end (140mm equivalent focal length), the small sensor limits background blur and dynamic range. Portraits can look flat with less separation from background. Still, it produces decent images in good light, ideal for informal portraits.

Winner: Olympus E-400 for richer portraits and creative control.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus E-400: Its robust Four Thirds sensor captures better detail and dynamic range. The camera’s compatibility with a variety of quality wide-angle lenses and manual exposure modes aid landscape photographers in exploring creative exposures.
• Panasonic FH3: The wide-angle 28mm equivalent lens allows snapshot-style landscapes but with limited dynamic range, notable noise in shadows, and less control.

Winner: Olympus E-400 for technical quality and creative options.

Wildlife and Sports

• Olympus E-400: Decent autofocus mode suited for tracking with a limited continuous shooting speed of 3 fps. The 2.1× focal length multiplier of Four Thirds lenses benefits telephoto reach.
• Panasonic FH3: Faster 6 fps burst helps capture moments, but autofocus is slower and less accurate, making it tough to keep fast-moving subjects sharp.

Winner: Olympus E-400 for better focusing and telephoto capabilities despite slower burst.

Street and Travel Photography

• Olympus E-400: Larger and heavier, which may limit portability. Its mirror mechanism produces shutter noise and slight vibrations – a consideration in discreet shooting.
• Panasonic FH3: Extremely compact, lightweight, and silent operation make it ideal for street photography and on-the-go shooting.

Winner: Panasonic FH3 for discretion and portability.

Macro Photography

• Olympus E-400: Interchangeable lenses include macro options, enabling high magnification with precise manual focusing.
• Panasonic FH3: Close focusing distance of 5 cm and optical image stabilization help casual macro shots but won’t rival dedicated macro lenses.

Winner: Olympus E-400 with appropriate macro lenses.

Night and Astro Photography

• Olympus E-400: Larger sensor size favors better low-light performance and longer exposures with cleaner results. Manual settings for shutter and aperture make it a good choice.
• Panasonic FH3: Limited maximum shutter speed (1/1600s) and no manual exposure modes restrict astrophotography usability.

Winner: Olympus E-400 for manual control and sensor size.

Video Capabilities

• Olympus E-400: No video recording functionality.
• Panasonic FH3: Supports 720p HD video at 30fps, enabling casual video capture with audio.

Winner: Panasonic FH3 for basic video functionality.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or rugged durability. The Olympus, with its DSLR masonry, feels more robust but requires care in challenging weather. The Panasonic FH3, designed as a simple compact, is best kept dry and clean.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

One of Olympus’s primary advantages is access to the Micro Four Thirds lens mount ecosystem:

• Around 45 lenses available at launch time, including primes, zooms, macros, and specialty optics.
• Enables creative freedom and professional-quality results as you expand.

The Panasonic FH3 comes with a fixed lens:

• Zoom range 28–140mm (5×)
• Maximum apertures spanning F2.8 at wide end to F6.9 at telephoto
• No lens changes but compact convenience.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

• Olympus E-400 uses CompactFlash and xD Picture Cards; Panasonic uses ubiquitous SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus internal storage.
• Both cameras lack modern wireless connectivity options - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS.
• USB 2.0 connectivity for offloading images.
• Battery life information is sparse, but expect typical endurance for their classes: DSLR likely longer but heavier; compact more limited but easily recharged.

Price to Performance and Value Today

Both cameras are legacy models, now generally available used, with price points reflecting their age and capabilities.

• Olympus E-400 originally retailed around $600 - a good starting point for those prioritizing image quality and lens system growth.
• Panasonic FH3 launched around $160 - extremely affordable entry for casual point-and-shoot users or travelers wanting an easy, pocketable camera.

Overall Performance Ratings and Genre-specific Scores

A holistic glance at their comparative performance helps consolidate the detailed analysis.

Sample Image Gallery: Seeing is Believing

To truly grasp how each camera performs, viewing image samples is instructive.

Olympus E 400 front Olympus E 400 screen back Panasonic FH3 screen back

Who Should Choose the Olympus E-400?

• You want to learn and grow with a DSLR system.
• Prioritize image quality, especially in portraits and landscapes.
• Appreciate manual controls and lens flexibility.
• Don’t mind carrying a larger camera body.
• Interested in exploring macro or low-light photography seriously.
• Prefer optical viewfinder framing and traditional DSLR ergonomics.

Who Should Opt for the Panasonic Lumix FH3?

• You want an easy-to-use, pocket-friendly camera.
• Prioritize portability for street and travel photography.
• Enjoy casual video recording along with stills.
• Seek better optical image stabilization for handheld shots.
• Are okay with fully automatic operation and limited manual control.
• Desire a budget-friendly option without the complexity of lens swaps.

Final Thoughts: Aligning Your Choice with Your Creative Journey

The Olympus E-400 and Panasonic Lumix FH3 represent distinct paths in photography. One invites you into the DSLR ecosystem offering control and image quality. The other delivers compact convenience and simplicity as an all-in-one solution.

If you aspire to evolve as a photographer and want a solid foundation for diverse genres, the Olympus E-400 offers depth and expansion opportunities. Conversely, if your aim is to capture moments spontaneously with minimal fuss, especially while traveling light, the Panasonic FH3’s portability and ease of use shine.

We encourage you to explore these cameras hands-on, if possible, to feel which aligns best with your style. Pair them with the right accessories - lenses for Olympus, memory cards for Panasonic - and you’ll be well-equipped to make compelling images.

Helpful Next Steps

• Check out online reviews and sample images from each model.
• Visit local camera stores for hands-on tries on ergonomics.
• Consider used markets or current Micro Four Thirds models if budget allows for newer tech.
• Start with a camera that inspires you to explore and capture your world confidently.

Your journey in photography is personal. Whichever camera you choose, it should be a tool that encourages your creativity and brings your vision to life.

Happy shooting!