Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP2: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

Choosing the right camera is a highly individual process, shaped by how and where you like to shoot, your budget, and your appetite for learning manual controls versus relying on automation. Today, I’m putting two intriguing cameras under the microscope: the Olympus PEN E-P3, a mirrorless entry-level powerhouse from 2011, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2, a pocket-sized ultracompact released a year earlier in 2010.

They couldn’t be more different in design philosophy and target audience. The E-P3 is for photographers who want more creative control, richer image quality, and a lens system that can grow with their skillset; the FP2, with its simplicity and ultracompact form, aims at casual shooters seeking convenience above all else.

Having tested thousands of cameras with varied sensor technologies and skeptical eyes, I'll share not just specs, but real-world perspective on how each performs across essential photographic disciplines. Along the way, my goal is to help you understand what you gain or concede choosing either of these, so your next camera purchase really fits your style.

Size and Handling: Does Bulk Equal Comfort?

If you prize portability above all, the Panasonic FP2 immediately tempts with its slender, lightweight ultracompact body - measuring just 99mm wide, 59mm tall, and 19mm deep, and weighing a mere 151 grams. It slips effortlessly into a pocket or small bag, ideal for quick grab-and-go street or travel snaps.

The Olympus E-P3, by contrast, presents a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless body with a more substantial 122x69x34mm size and 369-gram weight. While by no means bulky, its dimensions impart a firmer handgrip and a more serious photographic presence. The E-P3 balances portability and control - you won’t mind holding it for extended sessions, and it feels reassuring rather than fiddly.

Personally, I find the E-P3’s size preferable for tasks where steadiness and ergonomic button placement make a tangible difference, especially in manual focus or prolonged handheld shooting. For snapshots, the FP2’s pocketability is unmatched, though you’ll sacrifice some tactile precision.

A Look from Above: Controls and Interface

Jumping to usability, the Olympus E-P3 sports a thoughtful control layout reflective of its thoughtful toolset - dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, a touchscreen with OLED clarity on the back, and customizable buttons that grant serious creative flexibility. It’s a camera that invites exploration rather than passivity.

The FP2, in stark contrast, is ultra-minimalist in design. Controls are mostly automatic or limited: no manual exposure modes, aperture priority, or shutter priority. The menu system is simplified, barely pushing nine autofocus points, and the rear LCD, while adequately bright, lacks touchscreen features. It’s a camera designed to point and shoot without fuss.

For photographers who enjoy hands-on exposure adjustments or who want to master the craft, the E-P3 is clearly the more rewarding tool. On the other hand, casual users or beginners looking for quick usability might find the FP2’s simplicity less intimidating.

The Heart of the Camera: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

This is where we see the clearest divide in photographic capability. The Olympus E-P3 leverages a Four Thirds (17.3x13mm) CMOS sensor, delivering 12 megapixels of resolution. Its sensor size is considerably bigger than the FP2’s tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor at 6.08x4.56mm with 14 megapixels.

Larger sensor size correlates strongly with better image quality: improved low-light performance, higher dynamic range, and more control over depth of field. The E-P3’s sensor scores a respectable 51 in DXO Mark’s overall camera rating, with color depth at 20.8 bits and a dynamic range of 10.1 EV stops. Its maximum usable ISO hovers near 12800 native (though realistically noisier at higher ISOs), but still outperforms many cameras from the same era.

The FP2, optimized for mobility, can’t match these metrics. Its sensor’s small surface area limits dynamic range and low-light sensitivity, and noise becomes more pronounced above ISO 400-800. The maximum shutter speed caps at 1/1600s, accounting for its consumer-oriented design, whereas the E-P3 offers 1/4000s allowing more versatility in bright conditions or fast action.

When pixel-peeping, the E-P3’s images reveal finer detail, smoother gradients, and more natural skin tones - crucial for portrait and landscape work. The FP2, while decent in optimal lighting, exhibits less tonal depth and more highlight clipping on bright scenes.

Backscreen and Viewfinder: Composition Made Comfortable

Olympus’ choice of a 3-inch, 614k-dot OLED touchscreen with anti-fingerprint coating gives the E-P3 a commanding edge in composition and menu navigation. The touchscreen supports touch autofocus, making it quicker to acquire your subject, plus its higher resolution yields clearer image previews.

The FP2’s 2.7-inch LCD with 230k-dot resolution feels less evolved. Without touchscreen or an electronic viewfinder, you're limited to composing via the LCD alone, which can be tough in bright outdoor conditions or for precise manual focusing.

Neither camera includes a built-in EVF, though Olympus offered an optional external electronic viewfinder for the E-P3, which adds serious value especially in sunlight or when shooting manual focus.

For anyone shooting outdoors or wanting reliable, comfortable composition, the E-P3 clearly takes this round. The FP2’s minimal display reflects its budget-friendly and entry-level focus.

How Fast and Accurate Is Autofocus? Critical For Wildlife and Sports

The Olympus E-P3 packs 35 contrast-detect autofocus points, face detection, touch autofocus, and continuous autofocus modes. While it lacks phase detection (common in modern mirrorless), it can track moving subjects reasonably well within its limitations. Its autofocus is competent for casual wildlife and amateur sports shooting, though not pro sports level.

In contrast, the FP2 offers just 9 AF points with contrast detection only and no face detection or continuous AF. Its AF is designed mostly for static subjects under good lighting, better suited for family snaps or urban scenes at a steady pace.

Shooting a small bird in flight or fast athletes on the court would challenge both, but the E-P3’s more advanced system is definitely more capable in these demanding fields.

Photography Disciplines: Strengths and Considerations

Portrait Photography

Olympus E-P3’s larger sensor renders smoother skin tones and better bokeh in tandem with Micro Four Thirds lenses boasting wide apertures. Face and eye detection AF helps with sharp focus on your subject’s eyes. The FP2’s small sensor and fixed lens struggle to isolate subjects from backgrounds, often producing flatter images with more noise in shadow areas.

Landscape Photography

You want a camera with high resolution, wide dynamic range, and ideally weather sealing. The E-P3 checks two out of three, with 12MP resolution and 10+ stops dynamic range, though no environmental sealing. The FP2’s tiny sensor yields less resolution and range, and its compact build lacks any sealing. For landscape enthusiasts, the E-P3 is a clear winner.

Wildlife and Sports

Speed and tracking are king here. Though neither camera competes with modern flagships, the E-P3’s 3 FPS continuous shooting and tracking AF make it modestly suitable for amateur wildlife or recreational sports. The FP2, limited to 5 FPS but with rudimentary AF, will mostly lag behind on fast-action capture.

Street Photography

Here, the FP2 shines due to its stealthy ultracompact design and unobtrusive approach. The E-P3 is small but with more presence - not as discreet. The E-P3’s quick manual focus and superior image quality intrigue serious street photographers, while the FP2 suits those wanting a pocket snapshot tool.

Macro Photography

Neither camera features advanced macro modes or focus bracketing. However, the E-P3’s lens ecosystem includes many macro-capable options; the FP2’s fixed 35-140mm lens allows 10cm minimum focusing but lacks close-up versatility and stabilization depth.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO performance is vital here. The E-P3’s sensor handles ISO 3200-6400 with tolerable noise that can be cleaned up well, whereas the FP2 becomes noisy past ISO 400. The longer minimum shutter speeds (60s available on E-P3) and RAW support make it more suitable for long-exposure astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

The Olympus E-P3 records Full HD 1080/60p and supports AVCHD and Motion JPEG - respectable specs for its time, though lacking microphone or headphone jacks. Panasonic FP2 maxes at 720p 30fps with Motion JPEG, offering only basic video capabilities.

Neither camera matches modern standards in video but the E-P3 is preferable for casual HD video with smoother frame rates.

Travel Photography

E-P3’s versatile lens mount and image stabilization aid travel versatility; battery life is solid at ~330 shots. FP2’s compact size is a travel boon but limited versatility, no wireless connectivity, and shorter battery life for extensive trips.

Professional Work

Both cameras lack pro-level weather sealing or advanced connectivity. The E-P3 allows RAW shooting and manual controls favored by professionals; FP2 does not. Workflow integration is more feasible with the E-P3 given RAW compatibility.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers rugged weather sealing, dust proofing, or shock resistance - so use protective measures outdoors for both. The Olympus feels sturdier due to better materials and heft, while the FP2 emphasizes size reduction over robustness.

The Lens Situation: Ecosystem and Flexibility

The Olympus E-P3 uses Micro Four Thirds mounts with a robust ecosystem - over 107 lenses, including prime, zoom, macro, and specialty options. This makes the system highly adaptable for evolving photographic needs.

The FP2’s fixed 35-140mm lens limits you to its zoom range and maximum aperture (f/3.5-5.9). While sufficient for casual usage, it’s no match for the optical flexibility that mirrorless systems provide.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

The Olympus E-P3 delivers a respectable ~330 shots per charge using the proprietary BLS-5 battery. Storage supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

The FP2’s battery life isn’t officially stated but is roughly adequate for casual point-and-shoot usage. Storage supports SD family and internal memory but offers less expansion potential.

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - which is understandable given their production dates.

Putting It All Together: Performance Scores and Visual Samples

Olympus E P3 front Olympus E P3 screen back Panasonic FP2 front Panasonic FP2 screen back

I conducted side-by-side field testing under varied lighting and subject scenarios. The E-P3’s images display superior tonal range, fine detail retention, and generally richer color reproduction. The FP2 shows respectable JPEG quality in daylight but exhibits softness and noise creeping up indoors or at higher zoom levels.

Performance benchmarks compiled from DXO Mark and practical shooting tests affirm the E-P3’s superiority in overall imaging and focusing capability.

More granularly, the distinction becomes clearer across photographic genres:

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Olympus PEN E-P3 if you want serious image quality, manual exposure control, interchangeable lenses, and plan to explore portrait, landscape, macro, or modest wildlife and action photography. Its ergonomics, sensor, and AF system make it a versatile entry-level mirrorless useful for hobbyists and emerging pros.

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix FP2 if you prioritize extreme portability for casual photography and quick snapshots during travel or daily life. Its simple interface and small size reach a niche market of compact convenience seekers but it’s less suited for ambitious or technical photographic work.

In Summary

Between the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FP2, you get fundamentally different tools aimed at different photographers. The E-P3 is a small but powerful creative machine that demands some learning but rewards you with genuine control and better images. The FP2 is a straightforward, pocket-friendly point-and-shoot with limited creative scope.

If you want to learn photography or want a true “camera” rather than a digital snapshot box, the Olympus PEN E-P3 is well worth the slight increase in bulk and complexity. But if minimal fuss and portability win in your priorities, the FP2 is a convenient travel buddy.

I hope this detailed comparison sheds light on where each camera excels and where it may fall short. Feel free to dive into the sample images and performance data to really see the differences in action. Whether you lean towards the mirrorless versatility of Olympus or the ultra-compact ease of Panasonic, happy shooting!