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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FZ300

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FZ300 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
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P5
Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Launched July 2015
  • Old Model is Panasonic FZ200
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FZ300, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the FZ300 (12MP) is relatively close but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and FZ300 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-P3 was revealed 4 years earlier than the FZ300 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the E-P3 scores vs the FZ300 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic FZ300

 E-P3 FZ300 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Olympus E-P3

 FZ300 E-P3 
LaunchedJuly 2015August 2011More modern by 47 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k614kSharper screen (+426k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FZ300

 E-P3 FZ300 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P3 features physical dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ300 has sizing of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") along with a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FZ300 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-P3 vs the FZ300.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FZ300 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P3 and FZ300 is 86 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FZ300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes purely by looking through technical specs. The pic here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P3 and FZ300.

As you can tell, both of the cameras come with the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-P3 comes with the bigger sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field easier. The more aged E-P3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FZ300 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic FZ300 Portrait photography info
60
focusing manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
46
you can focus manually
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Street photography camera
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
fixed screen
59
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
environment proofing
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (691g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography features
Panasonic FZ300 Sports photography features
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
does not have phase detect AF
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
high shutter speed (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-P3
Travel photography with Panasonic FZ300
60
offers focus via touch
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
59
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
environment proofing
comes with focus via touch
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
heavier than competition (691 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FZ300 Landscape photography highlights
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
52
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging details
Panasonic FZ300 Vlogging details
35
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
62
fairly wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic support
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (691 grams)
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic FZ300
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-08-17 2015-07-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 49
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 614k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 8.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369 gr (0.81 lb) 691 gr (1.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 380 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Price at release $0 $598