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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
62
Overall
56

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5 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
  • Launched August 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-P2
  • Later Model is Olympus E-P5
Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
  • Revealed September 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GM1
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and GM5 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-P3 was brought out 4 years prior to the GM5 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-P3 matches up versus the GM5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic GM5

 E-P3 GM5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Olympus E-P3

 GM5 E-P3 
RevealedSeptember 2014August 2011Newer by 37 months
Screen resolution921k614kSharper screen (+307k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic GM5

 E-P3 GM5 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-P3 provides physical dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") having a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Panasonic GM5 has specifications of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the E-P3 and the GM5.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and GM5 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing technical specs. The pic below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and GM5.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Panasonic GM5 to show more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-P3 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GM5 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
71
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography advice
Panasonic GM5 Street photography advice
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
no articulating screen
76
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (211 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography information
Panasonic GM5 Sports photography information
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
48
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500 seconds)
low fps (5.8 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (220 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic GM5 Travel photography highlights
60
comes with focus by touch
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
71
lighter than competitors in class (211 grams)
comes with focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
terrible battery (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography features
Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography features
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
69
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GM5 as a Vlogging camera
35
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing external mic port
34
touchscreen capability
features face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (211 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic socket
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic GM5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic GM5
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-08-17 2014-09-15
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4592 x 3448
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 614 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/500s
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 5.8 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 grams (0.81 pounds) 211 grams (0.47 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 51 66
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 11.7
DXO Low light rating 536 721
Other
Battery life 330 shots 220 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 DMW-BLH7
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $0 $966