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Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FP3

Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FP3 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Expand to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Introduced October 2005
  • Additionally Known as EVOLT E-500
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-510
Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2010
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Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FP3 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-500 versus Panasonic FP3, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and FP3 (14MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and FP3 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-500 was unveiled 5 years earlier than the FP3 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-500 grades vs the FP3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Panasonic FP3

 E-500 FP3 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Olympus E-500

 FP3 E-500 
LaunchedJanuary 2010October 2005Newer by 51 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution230k215kClearer screen (+15k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Panasonic FP3

 E-500 FP3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FP3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-500 comes with external measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) while the Panasonic FP3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-500 versus Panasonic FP3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-500 vs the FP3.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FP3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-500 and FP3 is 70 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FP3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FP3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The image below will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-500 and FP3.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-500 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic FP3 will offer greater detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged E-500 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FP3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-500
Portrait photography with Panasonic FP3
48
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (8MP)
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-500
Street photography with Panasonic FP3
56
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (479 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
max ISO too low (400)
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than average in class (155 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FP3 Sports photography highlights
37
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography information
Panasonic FP3 Travel photography information
52
lighter than competition in class (479 grams)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
includes touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (155g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FP3 Landscape photography advice
43
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
max ISO too low (400)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
37
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 Vlogging information
Panasonic FP3 Vlogging information
9
lack of video recording
27
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
heavier than average in class (155 grams)
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Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FP3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Panasonic FP3
 Olympus E-500Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
Also referred to as EVOLT E-500 -
Class Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Introduced 2005-10-21 2010-01-06
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3264 x 2448 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 400 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 1600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Total lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 215 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 479 grams (1.06 lb) 155 grams (0.34 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
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
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $600 $182