Clicky

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 front
Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
64
Overall
56

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6 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
  • Old Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P5
Panasonic GF6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 323g - 111 x 65 x 38mm
  • Introduced April 2013
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF5
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF7
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and GF6 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The E-P3 was brought out 20 months prior to the GF6 making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-P3 matches up vs the GF6 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic GF6

 E-P3 GF6 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF6 over the Olympus E-P3

 GF6 E-P3 
IntroducedApril 2013August 2011More recent by 20 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k614kCrisper display (+426k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic GF6

 E-P3 GF6 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P3 features outer 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 GF6 has proportions of 111mm x 65mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 323 grams (0.71 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-P3 and the GF6.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P3 and GF6 is 86 and 87 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor measurements only by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P3 and GF6.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic GF6 to resolve more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images more aggressively. The older E-P3 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic GF6 Portrait photography advice
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
64
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography features
Panasonic GF6 Street photography features
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
features focus by touch
no articulating screen
77
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features touch focus
no image stabilization
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic GF6 Sports photography advice
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
51
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography information
Panasonic GF6 Travel photography information
60
features focus by touch
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
69
features touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic GF6 Landscape photography info
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
67
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P3
Vlogging with Panasonic GF6
35
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no microphone support
32
built-in touchscreen
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GF6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic GF6
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-08-17 2013-04-08
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 dimensions 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
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4592 x 3448
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 614 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60i PsF/30p in NTSC models, 50i PsF/25p on PAL), 1280 x 720p (60i PsF/30p in NTSC models, 50i PsF/25p on PAL), 640 x 480 (30/25fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369g (0.81 lbs) 323g (0.71 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 111 x 65 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 51 54
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 20.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 10.6
DXO Low light score 536 622
Other
Battery life 330 images 340 images
Form of battery 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 Single Single
Price at launch $0 $326