Clicky

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5 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
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-P2
  • Updated by Olympus E-P5
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Revealed July 2011
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is relatively similar but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and LS5 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The E-P3 was released very close to the LS5 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LS5 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-P3 matches up vs the LS5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic LS5

 E-P3 LS5 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kClearer screen (+384k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Olympus E-P3

 LS5 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic LS5

 E-P3 LS5 
RevealedAugust 2011July 2011Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P3 has got exterior dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") having a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Panasonic LS5 has measurements of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-P3 vs the LS5.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and LS5 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and LS5.

Clearly, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-P3 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic LS5 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography information
Panasonic LS5 Portrait photography information
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
33
good MP (14MP)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P3
Street photography with Panasonic LS5
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with touch focus
fixed screen
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic LS5 Sports photography factors
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect AF
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (160 per charge)
no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography information
Panasonic LS5 Travel photography information
60
comes with touch focus
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
lighter than competition in class (126g)
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (160 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography details
Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography details
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
36
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery life (160 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P3
Vlogging with Panasonic LS5
35
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
32
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (126g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic LS5
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-08-17 2011-07-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-6.5
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 614k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 369 grams (0.81 lb) 126 grams (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 shots 160 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID BLS-5 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $294