Olympus E-620 vs Panasonic Lumix FP3: A Hands-On Deep Dive Into Two Distinct Eras of Photography

When we pit the Olympus E-620, a 2009 entry-level DSLR stalwart, against the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3, a compact enthusiast model released in early 2010, we're not simply comparing two cameras - we're contrasting design philosophies, technological priorities, and user audiences. This comparison offers a fascinating window into how digital imaging catered to photographers seeking different balances of control, portability, and image quality just over a decade ago.

Having spent extensive hours behind both cameras in varied shooting conditions - ranging from high-contrast landscapes to tight street segments - I aim to offer a detailed, experience-driven analysis. We will explore every aspect that matters from sensor technology and autofocus to ergonomic feel and photographic genres.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Feel That Shape and Weight

The Olympus E-620 embodies “compact SLR” in a literal sense. It’s 130 x 94 x 60 mm, tipping the scales at 500g with battery, featuring traditional DSLR contours and a well-padded grip. This translates to a reassuring heft and stability that inspires confidence during extended handheld shooting. The body feels solid but not intrusive, nicely balanced to minimize fatigue yet substantial enough to command serious control.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic FP3 is a startlingly compact ultracompact at 99 x 59 x 19 mm and a mere 155g. Pocketable and slick, it slips into a jacket or even a large pocket without complaint. This portability, however, trades off with handling finesse - holding it steady, especially for longer zoom shots, requires more conscious effort.

If you prioritize classic DSLR handling and grip ergonomics, the Olympus wins hands down. But if you want an ultra-light, grab-and-go daily shooter, the FP3’s design is seductive.

Looking at the top controls, the E-620 sports dedicated dials and buttons for shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, and flash modes, evidencing a photographic workflow optimized for manual input and quick adjustments. This aligns well with photographers who like crafting exposure settings.

Conversely, the FP3’s top deck is minimalist - no dedicated exposure compensation or aperture priority modes - reflective of its simpler user base and more automated shooting experience.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Size Matters

At the heart of imaging lies the sensor, and here the E-620 leverages a Four Thirds system 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor with 12MP resolution, approximating 4032 x 3024 px output. The sensor size is moderately large compared to compacts, yielding benefits in noise control and depth of field management.

The FP3, on the other hand, houses a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring only 6.08 x 4.56 mm but bumps resolution up to 14MP (4320 x 3240 px). The sensor’s small size inherently limits dynamic range and low-light performance, despite higher nominal resolution.

We subjected both cameras to controlled ISO and dynamic range tests, alongside practical shooting in shadow-rich environments. Results mirror their sensor specs:

• Dynamic Range: Olympus pushes about 10.3 EV at base ISO, preserving shadow and highlight detail impressively for an entry-level DSLR. The FP3’s CCD sensor shows marked clipping in shadows/highlights at higher ISOs.

• Color Depth: The E-620 delivers rich and nuanced color reproduction - critical for portrait and landscape work. The FP3’s colors appear flatter and less vibrant under challenging lighting.

• High ISO Noise: The E-620’s native max ISO is 3200, with usable results up to 1600 in low light. The FP3, despite an advertised max ISO of 6400, is noisier at anything over ISO 400, restricting its usefulness nighttime and indoor.

For photographers chasing image quality and flexibility - especially those shooting RAW (supported only by Olympus) - the E-620’s sensor outperforms by a notable margin.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Locking on Fast and True

The E-620 employs a phase detection AF system operating via 7 focus points with contrast detection backup in live view. It supports face detection as well. Real world AF speed is brisk for its generation, locking sharply under various lighting conditions. For static and slow-moving subjects - portraits, landscapes - it’s reliable. However, the lack of advanced tracking limits its value for high-speed action like sports and wildlife.

The FP3 relies solely on contrast detection with 9 points. It is slower and sometimes hunts noticeably in low contrast or dim environments. The absence of face and eye detection further underscores its casual shooting ethos.

Burst shooting rates align: Olympus offers 4 FPS continuous, respectable though not blistering by today’s standards. Panasonic allows 5 FPS but at lower buffer depth and reduced AF responsiveness.

From my field testing - shooting backyard birds (wildlife) and street sequences - the Olympus autofocus is a step ahead, better at nailing focus and recovering between shots.

Viewfinders and Display: Composing and Reviewing Shots

The E-620 features an optical pentamirror viewfinder with approximately 95% coverage and 0.48x magnification. Though modest compared to modern DSLR viewfinders, it provides a natural, lag-free framing experience. The LCD is a 2.7" fully articulated HyperCrystal LCD with 230k pixel resolution, granting compositional flexibility (overhead, low angle), vital for macro and videography.

The FP3 forgoes a viewfinder entirely, relying on a fixed, touch-sensitive 3.0" screen (230k pixels). The larger screen is bright and responsive, but composing in bright sunlight can be challenging, especially without a dedicated viewfinder.

Photographers used to optical viewfinders will appreciate the Olympus, while casual or street photographers favoring discreet, live preview framing might prefer the FP3’s larger LCD.

Lens Ecosystems: More Than Just Glass

The Olympus E-620 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount - established before the formal Micro Four Thirds system launch - compatible with a growing range of lenses (45 lenses at release). This system offers versatility from ultra-wide primes to telephoto zooms, including high-quality options for portrait, macro, and wildlife lenses. The 2.1x crop factor means a 25mm lens acts like a 52.5mm full-frame equivalent, an important consideration for travel and landscape work.

The Panasonic FP3 has a fixed lens equivalent to 35-140mm on full frame, covering moderate wide to short telephoto. The maximum aperture ranges from f/3.5 to f/5.9, limiting low-light and bokeh potential but keeping the system simple and compact.

For photographers wanting practical control over depth-of-field and focal lengths - such as portraitists craving creamy bokeh or landscape shooters needing fast wide angles - the Olympus’s interchangeable lens approach wins clearly.

Image Stabilization Options

The E-620 incorporates sensor-based image stabilization technology. This in-body approach allows every lens to benefit from shake reduction, a practical boon especially for handheld macro and telephoto shooting, or in low-light scenarios without flash.

The FP3’s lens-mounted optical stabilization helps reduce blur but is inherently limited by the fixed optical assembly design.

Having tested stabilization on both, the Olympus’s in-body stabilization delivers subtly steadier handheld images, especially critical when pushing shutter speeds near the reciprocal rule.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Both are consumer-level cameras without extensive weather sealing. Neither the E-620 nor FP3 is dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, or crushproof, so neither suits rugged expedition use out of the box.

Physically, the Olympus feels more robust, constructed with a thicker chassis and metal lens mounts. The FP3’s plastic body, while well-built for a compact, is more vulnerable to impact damage.

Battery Life and Storage Media: Staying Powered and Saving Images

Olympus’s BLS-1 battery offers an impressive rated life of approximately 500 shots per charge, validated in my testing with moderate live view and flash use. The FP3’s battery specs are unspecified by Panasonic, but real-world use suggests around 200-250 shots per charge, a typical compact camera tradeoff.

Storage wise:

• E-620 accepts both CompactFlash (Type I or II) and xD Picture Cards, providing flexible professional options.
• FP3 uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, standard and convenient but less favored by pros needing CF robustness.

Video Capabilities: When Still Images Aren't Enough

The Olympus E-620 does not support video recording - a limitation in an era moving steadily toward hybrid imaging.

The Panasonic FP3 supports HD video at 1280 x 720 at 30fps in Motion JPEG format, as well as lower resolutions. No microphone or headphone ports exist, constraining audio quality and monitoring options.

For hybrid shooters or videographers, the FP3 offers minimal but sufficient basic video capture.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Neither camera includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, or HDMI, reflecting their time periods and market positions.

The USB 2.0 ports support image transfer but no tethered capture or remote control functionality. No wireless connectivity means transfer workflows rely on physical card readers or cables.

Practical Use Cases Across Photography Domains

Portraiture: Rendering Skin Tones and Bokeh

The E-620’s Micro Four Thirds sensor combined with interchangeable lenses yields superior control over depth of field, enabling creamy bokeh and precise eye detection autofocus for portrait reliability.

Its color rendition is pleasing without oversaturation - a valuable trait for nuanced skin tones.

The FP3, while sharp at base ISO and well-contrasted in good light, suffers from limited aperture control and poorer subject isolation. Its fixed lens and lack of face detection restrict portrait creativity.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

The E-620’s better dynamic range and native RAW support make it ideal for landscapes. Photographers can push shadows and highlights with confidence in postproduction. The articulated screen also aids composing tough angles.

The FP3 can capture decent daylight scenes but clips highlights and darkens shadows noticeably, especially in complex lighting.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Speed

Neither is designed primarily for rapid action photography, but the E-620’s phase detect AF and 4 FPS burst somewhat edge the FP3’s contrast detect AF and 5 FPS burst, which suffers from buffer limitations.

Neither camera shows exceptional tracking, making them better suited to general shooting than dedicated sports rigs.

Street Photography and Travel: Discretion and Portability

Here, the FP3’s diminutive size, unobtrusiveness, and easy operation shine. Its quick start-up and touch interfaces favor spontaneous shooting - hallmarks of street photography.

The E-620, while portable for a DSLR, demands more setup time and hand-holding but rewards with better images.

Travel photographers must balance weight and flexibility; the E-620’s lens interchangeability is an asset, but for ultralight travel, the FP3 wins.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focus Precision

The ability to mount true macro lenses and use sensor-shift stabilization makes the E-620 superior in macro work.

The FP3’s fixed lens macro mode with 10cm minimum focus works for casual close-ups but lacks precision and magnification.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Control

Olympus’ higher usable ISO and manual exposure modes provide better low-light creativity and noise control.

The FP3’s limited maximum shutter speed (1/1600s max) and noisier ISO above 400 hamper astrophotography prospects.

Video Usage

If video is a priority, the FP3, despite no professional features, holds a clear advantage with its built-in HD recording.

E-620 users must look elsewhere.

Professional and Workflow Considerations

The Olympus E-620’s RAW support and compatibility with professional-grade lenses lend it to more demanding workflows.

The FP3’s JPEG-only output and limited manual controls restrict its use to casual or enthusiast shooters.

Olympus E 620 screen back Panasonic FP3 front Panasonic FP3 screen back

Summing Up Performance: Scores and Rankings

Comparing relevant DxO overall quality scores assigns the Olympus a 55 rating versus the untested FP3 scoring academically lower due to smaller sensor limitations and lack of RAW.

Genre-specific ranking highlights the E-620 excelling in portrait, landscape, and macro fields while the FP3 wins on portability and casual street shooting utility.

Final Words: Which Camera Suits Whom?

• Choose the Olympus E-620 if you seek DSLR image quality on a budget, value manual controls and sensor-based image stabilization, shoot portraits, landscapes, or macro seriously, or want a dependable interchangeable lens system.

• Choose the Panasonic FP3 if you crave the smallest pocket-friendly form, casual shooting ease, quick HD video in a simple package, or primarily shoot during daylight for social and travel photography.

These two cameras represent different priorities and eras. The E-620 is a tried-and-tested tool for those valuing control and image quality, while the FP3 offers ultra-compact convenience with compromises.

Whichever you pick, understanding their strengths and limitations ensures smarter shooting and satisfying results.

I hope this deep dive helps you find the right photographic companion in these vintage yet still intriguing cameras. Happy shooting!