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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5 Key Specs

Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-P2
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P5
Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Replaced the Panasonic G3
  • Replacement is Panasonic G6
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and G5 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

Photography Glossary

The E-P3 was introduced 11 months prior to the G5 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-P3 scores against the G5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic G5

 E-P3 G5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Olympus E-P3

 G5 E-P3 
RevealedJuly 2012August 2011Newer by 11 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution920k614kCrisper screen (+306k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic G5

 E-P3 G5 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P3 features outer measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Panasonic G5 has dimensions of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the E-P3 vs the G5.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P3 and G5 is 86 and 74 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The picture here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and G5.

All in all, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic G5 to produce extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged E-P3 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography features
Panasonic G5 Portrait photography features
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
71
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography factors
Panasonic G5 Street photography factors
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
no moving screen
66
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts focus by touch
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (396 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography info
Panasonic G5 Sports photography info
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
lack of phase detect auto focus
51
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography info
Panasonic G5 Travel photography info
60
boasts focus by touch
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
boasts focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (396 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P3
Landscape photography with Panasonic G5
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging info
Panasonic G5 Vlogging info
35
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
62
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (396g)
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic G5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic G5
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-08-17 2012-07-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Venus Engine VII FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 614k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 10.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369 grams (0.81 lb) 396 grams (0.87 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 51 61
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 21.4
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 11.6
DXO Low light score 536 618
Other
Battery life 330 images 320 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $0 $699