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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH7

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH7 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
  • Released August 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P5
Panasonic FH7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS22
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH7 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Olympus E-P3 versus Panasonic FH7, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and FH7 (16MP) and the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and FH7 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-P3 was introduced around the same time to the FH7 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH7 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-P3 scores against the FH7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic FH7

 E-P3 FH7 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display resolution614k230kClearer display (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH7 over the Olympus E-P3

 FH7 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FH7

 E-P3 FH7 
RevealedAugust 2011September 2011Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH7 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P3 features physical 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 FH7 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Olympus E-P3 versus Panasonic FH7 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the E-P3 against the FH7.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P3 and FH7 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH7 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking specs. The photograph below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and FH7.

All in all, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-P3 using its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic FH7 will give you extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a little more aggressively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P3
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH7
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH7 as a Street photography camera
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes focus by touch
screen does not articulate
67
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH7 as a Sports photography camera
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FH7 Travel photography factors
60
includes focus by touch
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
provides focus by touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FH7 Landscape photography highlights
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
43
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH7 as a Vlogging camera
35
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
34
quite wide (28mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FH7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FH7
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FS22
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-08-17 2011-09-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI 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 area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 614 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369g (0.81 lb) 126g (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 95 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 260 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $0 $149