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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Key Specs

Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-P2
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P5
Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Released November 2011
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the 3D1 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and 3D1 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-P3 was revealed 2 months earlier than the 3D1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic 3D1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-P3 scores vs the 3D1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic 3D1

 E-P3 3D1 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display resolution614k460kSharper display (+154k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Olympus E-P3

 3D1 E-P3 
Display dimensions3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic 3D1

 E-P3 3D1 
ReleasedAugust 2011November 2011Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-P3 has external dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Panasonic 3D1 has specifications of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-P3 against the 3D1.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and 3D1 is 86 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements just by going through technical specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and 3D1.

As you have seen, the two cameras have the same megapixels but different sensor measurements. The E-P3 includes the larger sensor which will make getting shallow DOF easier.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic 3D1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
27
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography features
Panasonic 3D1 Street photography features
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers focus via touch
fixed screen
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography info
Panasonic 3D1 Sports photography info
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
30
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-P3
Travel photography with Panasonic 3D1
60
offers focus via touch
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
59
offers touch focus
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic 3D1 Landscape photography info
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
36
really wide (25mm)
very good size screen (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
manual mode not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging advice
Panasonic 3D1 Vlogging advice
35
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone port
34
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic port
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic 3D1
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-08-17 2011-11-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.9-5.7
Macro focus range - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.5 inches
Screen resolution 614k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369 gr (0.81 lb) 193 gr (0.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 200 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $0 $670