Clicky

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Olympus E-P2
(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
  • Released April 2010
  • Superseded the Olympus E-P1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P3
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
  • Released August 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF2
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF5
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic GF3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-P2 (12MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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

The E-P2 was released 15 months before the GF3 making them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-P2 matches up vs the GF3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Panasonic GF3

 E-P2 GF3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus E-P2

 GF3 E-P2 
ReleasedAugust 2011April 2010Newer by 15 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic GF3

 E-P2 GF3 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P2 features exterior measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Panasonic GF3 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic GF3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-P2 compared to the GF3.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P2 and GF3 is 86 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The image here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P2 and GF3.

As you have seen, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of files though you may want to take the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged E-P2 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
55
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Street photography highlights
Panasonic GF3 Street photography highlights
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
features focus by touch
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P2
Sports photography with Panasonic GF3
40
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
low fps (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (300 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Travel photography camera
43
no Timelapse recording
bad battery power (300 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
58
features focus by touch
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (300 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Landscape photography camera
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
bad battery power (300 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
low battery pack (300 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P2
Vlogging with Panasonic GF3
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
32
touchscreen
comes with face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus PEN E-P2Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-04-22 2011-08-11
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 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 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 355 grams (0.78 lb) 264 grams (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 50
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 20.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 10.1
DXO Low light score 505 459
Other
Battery life 300 images 300 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $799 $360