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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Revealed February 2020
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF2
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF5
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and GF3 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 III was announced 8 years after the GF3 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-M1 III matches up vs the GF3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic GF3

 E-M1 III GF3 
RevealedFebruary 2020August 2011More modern by 104 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 GF3 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic GF3

 E-M1 III GF3 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 III features external dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Panasonic GF3 has proportions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 III vs the GF3.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and GF3 is 67 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The image underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and GF3.

As you can see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus E-M1 III to show greater detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 III provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF3
77
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
55
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Street photography with Panasonic GF3
78
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers touch to focus
environment sealing
good ISO range (25,600)
70
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
includes touch to focus
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Sports photography with Panasonic GF3
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
38
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (300 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Panasonic GF3
79
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers touch to focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
58
includes touch to focus
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery power (300 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography advice
81
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery power (300 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging factors
Panasonic GF3 Vlogging factors
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic jack
32
touch screen
has face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2020-02-11 2011-08-11
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 160
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 121 23
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 gr (1.28 lb) 264 gr (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 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 420 images 300 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual 1
Retail cost $1,800 $360