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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8 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  • Superseded the Olympus E-P2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 FP8
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 96 x 60 x 20mm
  • Released July 2009
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the FP8 (12MP) is very close but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and FP8 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-P3 was revealed 2 years later than the FP8 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP8 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-P3 grades against the FP8 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic FP8

 E-P3 FP8 
ReleasedAugust 2011July 2009Fresher by 26 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kSharper display (+384k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP8 over the Olympus E-P3

 FP8 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FP8

 E-P3 FP8 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-P3 has 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 FP8 has specifications of 96mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the E-P3 compared to the FP8.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P3 and FP8 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and FP8.

Clearly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor sizing. The E-P3 uses the larger sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field less difficult. The more modern E-P3 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FP8 Portrait photography features
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography factors
Panasonic FP8 Street photography factors
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
screen does not articulate
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competition (151 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P3
Sports photography with Panasonic FP8
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
no phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography features
Panasonic FP8 Travel photography features
60
supports focus by touch
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
56
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (151g)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FP8 Landscape photography info
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
no Time Lapse mode
32
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FP8 as a Vlogging camera
35
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic port
28
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
heavier than competition (151g)
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FP8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FP8
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-08-17 2009-07-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI Venus Engine V
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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-128mm (4.6x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 614k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 5.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 369 grams (0.81 lb) 151 grams (0.33 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 96 x 60 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8")
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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $300