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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3 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
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-P2
  • New Model is Olympus E-P5
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic GF2
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF5
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-P3 was announced about the same time to the GF3 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-P3 grades vs the GF3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic GF3

 E-P3 GF3 
Screen resolution614k460kCrisper screen (+154k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus E-P3

 GF3 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic GF3

 E-P3 GF3 
AnnouncedAugust 2011August 2011Similar age
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P3 features physical measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Panasonic GF3 has dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-P3 vs the GF3.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P3 and GF3 is 86 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and GF3.

As you can see, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photos but you would want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography info
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
55
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P3
Street photography with Panasonic GF3
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts touch focus
no moving screen
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch focus
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Sports photography camera
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery life (300 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Travel photography camera
60
boasts touch focus
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
58
boasts touch focus
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (300 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography advice
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (300 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P3
Vlogging with Panasonic GF3
35
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
32
has touchscreen
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-08-17 2011-08-11
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 614k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369g (0.81 pounds) 264g (0.58 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 51 50
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 20.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 10.1
DXO Low light rating 536 459
Other
Battery life 330 photos 300 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $0 $360