Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GF3
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65


90 Imaging
47 Features
48 Overall
47
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
- Launched October 2013
- Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 II
(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
- Launched August 2011
- Superseded the Panasonic GF2
- New Model is Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview
Here is a extended comparison of the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic GF3, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and GF3 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

The E-M1 was unveiled 2 years later than the GF3 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 scores vs the GF3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GF3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Panasonic GF3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic GF3
E-M1 | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2013 | ![]() | August 2011 | Fresher by 27 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+577k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus E-M1
GF3 | E-M1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic GF3
E-M1 | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 has got physical dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst 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).
Check out the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic GF3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 versus the GF3.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and GF3 is 71 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and GF3.
Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Olympus E-M1 to offer you extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2013-10-28 | 2011-08-11 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePIC VII | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 160 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 107 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 1,037k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 6.30 m |
Flash options | Flash Auto, 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 | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/320 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 497 grams (1.10 pounds) | 264 grams (0.58 pounds) |
Dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 73 | 50 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.0 | 20.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.7 | 10.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 757 | 459 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 pictures | 300 pictures |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $799 | $360 |