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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
17
Overall
28

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2 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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-P2
  • Updated by Olympus E-P5
Panasonic FP2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Released January 2010
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Olympus E-P3 versus Panasonic FP2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the FP2 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and FP2 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The E-P3 was introduced 20 months later than the FP2 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-P3 scores against the FP2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic FP2

 E-P3 FP2 
ReleasedAugust 2011January 2010More recent by 20 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kClearer display (+384k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Olympus E-P3

 FP2 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FP2

 E-P3 FP2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P3 has got exterior dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FP2 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).

See the Olympus E-P3 versus Panasonic FP2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the E-P3 and the FP2.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and FP2 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements purely by checking technical specs. The photograph underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and FP2.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-P3 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic FP2 will give greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The younger E-P3 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P3
Portrait photography with Panasonic FP2
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P3
Street photography with Panasonic FP2
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features touch to focus
screen is fixed
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competitors (151 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P3
Sports photography with Panasonic FP2
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect AF
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
max fps low (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FP2 Travel photography factors
60
features touch to focus
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
56
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (151g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FP2 Landscape photography factors
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
32
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging details
Panasonic FP2 Vlogging details
35
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (151g)
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FP2
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Announced 2011-08-17 2010-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
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 surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 614k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 4.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s -
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 data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369g (0.81 lb) 151g (0.33 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $0 $80