Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FP3
86 Imaging
47 Features
42 Overall
45


95 Imaging
36 Features
25 Overall
31
Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FP3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
- Announced July 2009
- Newer Model is Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
- Revealed January 2010

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FP3 Overview
Its time to look much closer at the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FP3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the FP3 (14MP) is very well matched but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and FP3 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizes.

The E-P1 was released 5 months prior to the FP3 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the E-P1 scores against the FP3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FP3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-P1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-P1 Gallery and Panasonic FP3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Panasonic FP3
E-P1 | FP3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Olympus E-P1
FP3 | E-P1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic FP3
E-P1 | FP3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2009 | ![]() | January 2010 | Similar generation |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FP3 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P1 comes with external measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Panasonic FP3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).
See the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FP3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-P1 and the FP3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P1 and FP3 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FP3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by looking at technical specs. The image here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P1 and FP3.
As you can tell, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-P1 featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic FP3 will give you more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics way more aggressively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FP3 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-P1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Announced | 2009-07-29 | 2010-01-06 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic V | 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 surface area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 10cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 4.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | 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 | 355g (0.78 lbs) | 155g (0.34 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") | 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 536 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 images | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLS-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $182 | $182 |