Clicky

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Updated by Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic S3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty similar but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and S3 (1/2.3") posses different sensor dimensions.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The E-M1 was launched 2 years later than the S3 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-M1 grades versus the S3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic S3

 E-M1 S3 
IntroducedOctober 2013January 2011More recent by 35 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus E-M1

 S3 E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic S3

 E-M1 S3 
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 provides outside measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic S3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 against the S3.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and S3 is 71 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements only by going over specs. The graphic below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and S3.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-M1 will offer more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography info
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography info
71
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/320s)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography info
Panasonic S3 Street photography info
78
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus by touch
environment proof
lighter than competitors in class (497g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography features
Panasonic S3 Sports photography features
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography features
Panasonic S3 Travel photography features
65
lighter than competitors in class (497g)
environment proof
offers focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than competitors (117g)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography details
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
38
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging features
Panasonic S3 Vlogging features
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic socket
lighter than competitors in class (497 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic S3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-10-28 2011-01-05
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.30 m
Flash modes 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 reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497 grams (1.10 lbs) 117 grams (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 250 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $799 $110