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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3 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
  • Revealed April 2010
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-P1
  • Updated by Olympus E-P3
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-P2 (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is very well matched but the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and S3 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-P2 was brought out 8 months prior to the S3 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-P2 matches up versus the S3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Panasonic S3

 E-P2 S3 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus E-P2

 S3 E-P2 
ReleasedJanuary 2011April 2010Newer by 8 months

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic S3

 E-P2 S3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P2 comes with outer dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Panasonic S3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-P2 compared to the S3.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-P2 and S3 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The image here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P2 and S3.

Clearly, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-P2 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic S3 will resolve greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images more aggressively. The more aged E-P2 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Portrait photography features
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography features
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
28
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P2
Street photography with Panasonic S3
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Sports photography factors
Panasonic S3 Sports photography factors
40
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-P2
Travel photography with Panasonic S3
43
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
68
lighter than competitors (117g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P2
Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
38
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Vlogging details
Panasonic S3 Vlogging details
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic S3
 Olympus PEN E-P2Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-04-22 2011-01-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs -
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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 gr (0.78 pounds) 117 gr (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 505 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 250 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $799 $110