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Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Olympus FE-4000 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Olympus FE-4000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Additionally referred to as X-925
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Updated by Panasonic GF5
Photography Glossary

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus FE-4000 versus Panasonic GF3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the FE-4000 (12MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the FE-4000 (1/2.3") and GF3 (Four Thirds) use different sensor measurements.

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The FE-4000 was introduced 3 years before the GF3 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus FE-4000 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the FE-4000 grades against the GF3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-4000 over the Panasonic GF3

 FE-4000 GF3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus FE-4000

 GF3 FE-4000 
AnnouncedAugust 2011July 2009Fresher by 25 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus FE-4000 and Panasonic GF3

 FE-4000 GF3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus FE-4000 has got physical dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic GF3 has proportions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

See the Olympus FE-4000 versus Panasonic GF3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the FE-4000 and the GF3.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FE-4000 and GF3 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FE-4000 and GF3.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The FE-4000 includes the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF harder. The older FE-4000 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Portrait photography features
Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography features
21
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
55
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Street photography details
Panasonic GF3 Street photography details
55
lighter than average in class (136g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
70
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features touch focus
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GF3 Sports photography highlights
17
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
38
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery power (300 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus FE-4000
Travel photography with Panasonic GF3
62
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
58
features touch focus
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (300 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography factors
28
reasonably wide (26mm)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse function
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (300 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus FE-4000
Vlogging with Panasonic GF3
28
reasonably wide (26mm)
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external microphone support
32
touchscreen enabled
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic support
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Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4000 and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus FE-4000Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus FE-4000 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Also referred to as X-925 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-07-22 2011-08-11
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 26-105mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.6-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Available lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 136 gr (0.30 pounds) 264 gr (0.58 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 50
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.1
DXO Low light score not tested 459
Other
Battery life - 300 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $130 $360