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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS11
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the FH3 (14MP) is very similar but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and FH3 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The E-M5 was launched 2 years after the FH3 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-M5 scores against the FH3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Panasonic FH3

 E-M5 FH3 
LaunchedApril 2012January 2010Newer by 29 months
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution610k230kCrisper display (+380k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Olympus E-M5

 FH3 E-M5 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic FH3

 E-M5 FH3 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 features outer dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Panasonic FH3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M5 and the FH3.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and FH3 is 81 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specs. The pic here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 and FH3.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M5 due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M5 will deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The fresher E-M5 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography advice
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
28
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Street photography advice
Panasonic FH3 Street photography advice
82
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
includes touch focus
environment proof
very good high ISO (25,600)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Sports photography features
Panasonic FH3 Sports photography features
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
max fps low (6.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5
Travel photography with Panasonic FH3
66
environment proof
includes touch focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
64
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography features
Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography features
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
doesn't have Time Lapse function
37
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Vlogging camera
34
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic port
29
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic FH3
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
Other name - Lumix DMC-FS11
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-04-30 2010-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
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 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 610k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 425 gr (0.94 lbs) 165 gr (0.36 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 826 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $799 $160