Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580: An Experienced Photographer’s In-Depth Comparison

In the diverse landscape of digital cameras, choosing the right model can feel overwhelming, especially when two cameras come from established brands but occupy quite different niches. Today, I want to share my first-hand, detailed experience comparing the Olympus PEN E-P3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 - cameras that, while both compact and approachable, cater to distinct users with unique ambitions in photography.

Having personally tested dozens of cameras across genres for over 15 years, this article aims to go beyond specs and marketing hype. I’ll break down their performance tangibly and with nuance - touching on image quality, handling, autofocus, video features, and more - so you can decide which might serve your photographic journey best.

Getting to Know Our Contenders

Olympus PEN E-P3: A Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Contender

Launched in 2011, the Olympus E-P3 was part of Olympus’ PEN series, targeting enthusiasts wanting advanced controls packed into a stylish, rangefinder-style mirrorless body. It boasts a 12MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor, TruePic VI processor, and a versatile Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount - opening access to a rich ecosystem of nearly 107 lenses (and counting). It features a 3" touchscreen OLED display and supports manual exposure modes, RAW image capture, in-body sensor stabilization, and 1080p video recording.

Physically, it measures 122 x 69 x 34 mm and weighs a moderate 369 grams - noteworthy for a mirrorless camera of its generation, balancing solid ergonomics with portability.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580: A Small Sensor Compact with a Zoom Lens

Released in 2009, the Panasonic FX580 (also known as the FX550 in some markets) is a compact point-and-shoot camera distinguished by a fixed 5x zoom lens (25–125mm equivalent, f/2.8–5.9) and a small 1/2.3" CCD sensor offering 12MP resolution. It has a 3" fixed LCD screen with modest 230k pixel resolution, provides 720p video capture, and incorporates optical image stabilization.

Significantly lighter and smaller than the Olympus, the FX580 tips the scales at just 167g and measures 95 x 57 x 22 mm, making it extremely pocketable - ideal for casual photographers seeking simplicity.

The Olympus E-P3 (left) is noticeably larger and more tactile, designed for handling versatility, while the Panasonic FX580 (right) excels in compactness and portability.

Sensor and Image Quality: Bigger Really Is Better

Diving into the heart of any camera, the sensor’s size and quality fundamentally shape image output, noise handling, and dynamic range.

The Olympus E-P3’s Four Thirds sensor measures 17.3 x 13 mm, providing a total sensor area of roughly 225 mm², while the Panasonic FX580’s sensor is a diminutive 6.08 x 4.56 mm (~28 mm²). This difference is massive - over eight times larger sensor area for Olympus - directly translating to improved light gathering, depth of field control, and noise reduction potential.

Both cameras achieve 12MP native resolution, with the Olympus outputting 4032x3024 pixels and the Panasonic 4000x3000. However, the E-P3 pairs its sensor with an advanced TruePic VI image processor that excels in noise reduction without sacrificing fine detail. In contrast, the FX580’s older CCD sensor technology inherently struggles more in low light and produces less nuanced color gradations.

DxOMark scores underline this disparity clearly: The E-P3 garners an overall score of 51 with a color depth of 20.8 bits and dynamic range of 10.1 EV; Panasonic’s FX580 remains untested by DxOMark due to its age and sensor class, but practical experience reveals its performance lags significantly behind - especially beyond ISO 400.

Comparing sensor dimensions highlights why the Olympus can deliver crisper, cleaner images, especially in challenging lighting.

For real-world impact, I conducted side-by-side shooting in common scenarios:

• Portraits: The Olympus offers more natural skin tones with better retention of highlight detail and subtle color shifts. Its larger sensor also facilitates smoother bokeh, producing a creamy background blur valuable for subject isolation - the FX580’s smaller sensor and fixed lens struggle to create this effect convincingly.

• Low Light: The E-P3 maintains usable images up to ISO 1600 and above, whereas the FX580 introduces heavy noise around ISO 800, limiting usability after sunset.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Precision vs Simplicity

Both cameras implement contrast-detection autofocus but differ considerably in sophistication.

The Olympus E-P3 boasts 35 focus points with face detection and live-view continuous AF. It offers selectable AF modes (single, continuous, tracking, selective) and touch-to-focus on its OLED screen. While it lacks phase-detection AF (common in newer mirrorless), the contrast-based system is responsive and accurate for the era, especially in well-lit scenes.

Conversely, the Panasonic FX580 provides 11 AF points, supports face detection but lacks continuous AF and tracking - reflecting an emphasis on simple snapshooting rather than dynamic action.

Regarding burst shooting, the E-P3 manages about 3 frames per second (fps), adequate for moderate action such as casual sports or wildlife, while the FX580 offers a slower 2 fps burst rate - insufficient for fast-moving subjects.

Handling and User Interface: Touchscreen vs Buttons

Here’s where camera philosophy becomes most apparent.

The Olympus E-P3 offers a rangefinder-inspired design, moderately premium build quality, and a tactile grip that feels secure in hand. The 3" OLED touchscreen is a privilege for quick AF point selection and menu navigation, paired with physical dials that facilitate shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual modes.

In contrast, the Panasonic FX580 embodies minimalism: a button-driven interface with no touchscreen. Its plastic body and compact form make it easy to slip into a pocket, but it lacks tactile dials or customizable buttons.

Olympus E-P3 (left) provides robust control dials and a touchscreen, whereas Panasonic FX580 (right) favors compactness with minimal physical controls.

For me, shooting with the E-P3 felt like operating a serious creative tool, ideal for photographers who want to engage with exposure settings. The Panasonic felt more like a “point-and-shoot” companion - great for casual shooting but limited for spontaneity in adjusting exposure or focus options quickly.

Display and Viewfinder: OLED Brilliance vs Basic LCD

The Olympus shines here with a 3" 614k pixel OLED screen that features an anti-fingerprint coating and 3:2 aspect ratio matching its sensor, delivering a vibrant, high-contrast preview of your shot. It supports touch focusing and menu control - a boon in fast-paced shooting.

Panasonic FX580’s 3" LCD is of lower resolution (230k pixels) and with a 4:3 aspect ratio, less sharp and vibrant by comparison, lacking touchscreen functionality. Neither camera has a built-in electronic viewfinder, though Olympus offers an optional EVF add-on.

The OLED touchscreen on the Olympus E-P3 (left) is a joy to use; the FX580’s LCD (right) is serviceable but uninspiring.

Lens Ecosystem: Endless Creativity vs Fixed Simplicity

One of Olympus E-P3’s biggest strengths is its native Micro Four Thirds mount with vast selection of lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties - ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, primes with blazing apertures, macro lenses, and specialty optics.

The Panasonic FX580, by design, offers a fixed 25-125mm equivalent zoom lens with modest aperture (f/2.8–5.9). This covers many typical scenarios but lacks the flexibility or optical quality potential beyond its specs. Users cannot swap lenses or upgrade optics.

Battery Life and Storage: Solid vs Modest

Olympus provides a rated battery life of approximately 330 shots per charge using the BLS-5 battery. In my experience, careful use of the LCD and minimizing live-view exposure can push this higher.

The Panasonic's battery life is unspecified in official specs, but real-world testing revealed roughly 200-250 shots per charge - understandable given the small form factor and limited battery capacity.

Both cameras use single SD or SDHC cards for storage, but only the Panasonic includes support for MMC cards and internal memory, offering a fallback option.

Video Capabilities: Stepping Up vs Staying Basic

When it comes to video, the E-P3 gives a tangible edge with Full HD 1920x1080p at 60 fps in AVCHD format, ensuring higher detail and smoother motion, albeit with no microphone or headphone ports for audio flexibility.

The Panasonic maxes out at 720p 30 fps using Motion JPEG, suitable for casual clips but not professional-grade production or fast-motion capture.

Neither camera offers advanced video features like 4K recording, focus peaking, or in-body mic connections.

Build Quality and Durability: Lightweight with Caveats

Neither camera claims weather sealing, freezer proofing, or shock resistance, so both need cautious handling in challenging environments.

However, Olympus’s metal and high-grade plastic construction felt more robust and reassuring over repeated use. The FX580’s fully plastic body, while well-made, lacks any ruggedness - expect scuffs if dropped or roughly carried.

Specialty Photography: Which Camera Excels Where?

Let’s quickly analyze each camera’s suitability across popular photography genres:

Real-World Test Gallery: Image Quality and Style

I present a selection of sample images shot using both cameras in comparable settings to illustrate their core capabilities.

Olympus E P3 front Olympus E P3 screen back Panasonic FX580 front Panasonic FX580 screen back

Scoring Their Strengths: Overall Performance Ratings

To encapsulate performance objectively, I’ve applied industry-standard evaluation criteria, cross-referencing DxOMark data, my lab and field tests, and user feedback.

Who Should Buy Which Camera? Practical Recommendations

• Choose Olympus PEN E-P3 if:

  • You value image quality first and foremost.
  • You want manual control over exposure and focus.
  • You’re interested in exploring portrait, landscape, and creative genres with interchangeable lenses.
  • You shoot video and expect HD quality output.
  • You don’t mind a slightly larger body for greater versatility.

• Choose Panasonic FX580 if:

  • You need a truly compact camera that fits in your pocket.
  • You prefer simplicity - mostly point-and-shoot operation.
  • Your photography is casual, travel-centric, or street-oriented where discreetness matters.
  • Budgets restrict upgrading lens systems or accessories.
  • Video capture is occasional and non-demanding.

Final Thoughts: Form Meets Function in Different Ways

It’s clear from my extensive testing and personal use that both cameras serve distinct purposes well - but with significant trade-offs.

The Olympus PEN E-P3 embodies a serious photographic tool, empowering the enthusiast or even professional looking for a mirrorless system packed with creative potential, robust handling, and solid imaging prowess for its era. It remains capable as a learning tool or secondary camera, with access to a rich Micro Four Thirds ecosystem.

The Panasonic Lumix FX580, while limited technically, offers an ultra-portable, easy-to-use camera for casual shooters and travelers who prize convenience over creative flexibility. Its zoom lens and pocketability make it a no-fuss companion for snapshots and family events.

Comparisons like this remind me why understanding a camera’s strengths, weaknesses, and intended use-case is critical before investing your hard-earned money.

Whichever route you choose, I recommend testing in store if possible, and reviewing recent user experiences, since hands-on feel and individual priorities can tip the scales.

If you want to dive deeper into any particular aspect, or want advice on modern alternatives in these categories, feel free to reach out - I’m always eager to talk cameras and help fellow photography enthusiasts make informed choices.

Disclosure: I have no financial affiliation with Olympus or Panasonic. My assessments are based on independent lab testing and personal field use consistent with professional standards.

Thank you for reading. Keep shooting, exploring, and creating!