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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580 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
  • Superseded the Olympus E-P2
  • Successor is Olympus E-P5
Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX550
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Olympus E-P3 versus Panasonic FX580, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the FX580 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and FX580 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The E-P3 was introduced 2 years after the FX580 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FX580 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-P3 grades vs the FX580 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic FX580

 E-P3 FX580 
LaunchedAugust 2011January 2009More modern by 32 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen resolution614k230kCrisper screen (+384k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Olympus E-P3

 FX580 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FX580

 E-P3 FX580 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P3 has got exterior measurements 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 FX580 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P3 versus Panasonic FX580 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the E-P3 versus the FX580.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and FX580 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes merely by looking at specifications. The image below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P3 and FX580.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-P3 comes with the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field easier. The newer E-P3 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FX580 Portrait photography advice
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
26
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography highlights
Panasonic FX580 Street photography highlights
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
provides focus via touch
screen does not articulate
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography info
Panasonic FX580 Sports photography info
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography information
Panasonic FX580 Travel photography information
60
provides focus via touch
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
58
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P3
Landscape photography with Panasonic FX580
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
no Time Lapse function
37
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P3
Vlogging with Panasonic FX580
35
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic support
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FX580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FX580
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
Other name - Lumix DMC-FX550
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-08-17 2009-01-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 614k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369g (0.81 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 type Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $0 $499