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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH1

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH1 Key Specs

Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-P2
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P5
Panasonic FH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 163g - 98 x 55 x 23mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS10
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH1 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FH1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the FH1 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and FH1 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The E-P3 was unveiled 20 months later than the FH1 which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the E-P3 scores vs the FH1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic FH1

 E-P3 FH1 
IntroducedAugust 2011January 2010More recent by 20 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kClearer screen (+384k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH1 over the Olympus E-P3

 FH1 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FH1

 E-P3 FH1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P3 offers physical measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH1 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 163 grams (0.36 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FH1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-P3 vs the FH1.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and FH1 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by looking at specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and FH1.

All in all, both the cameras have the same MP albeit different sensor measurements. The E-P3 comes with the bigger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh less difficult. The newer E-P3 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FH1 Portrait photography factors
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P3
Street photography with Panasonic FH1
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has touch to focus
screen does not articulate
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography features
Panasonic FH1 Sports photography features
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
has no phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FH1 Travel photography advice
60
has touch to focus
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
58
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FH1 as a Landscape photography camera
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
no Timelapse function
32
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging features
Panasonic FH1 Vlogging features
35
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
29
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FH1
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FS10
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-08-17 2010-01-06
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 614 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 6.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369g (0.81 pounds) 163g (0.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 98 x 55 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $0 $150