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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 front
Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
73
Overall
59

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100 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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Renewed by Olympus E-P5
Panasonic LX100
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-75mm (F1.7-2.8) lens
  • 393g - 115 x 66 x 55mm
  • Launched September 2014
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LX100 II
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100 Overview

Below is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the LX100 (13MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

Photography Glossary

The E-P3 was announced 4 years earlier than the LX100 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-P3 scores against the LX100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic LX100

 E-P3 LX100 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX100 over the Olympus E-P3

 LX100 E-P3 
LaunchedSeptember 2014August 2011More recent by 37 months
Screen resolution921k614kClearer screen (+307k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic LX100

 E-P3 LX100 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P3 enjoys 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) and the Panasonic LX100 has measurements of 115mm x 66mm x 55mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.2") having a weight of 393 grams (0.87 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the E-P3 versus the LX100.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and LX100 is 86 and 83 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing specifications. The photograph underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P3 and LX100.

To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic LX100 to provide extra detail with its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older E-P3 will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic LX100 Portrait photography advice
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
70
manual focus
decent MP (13 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P3
Street photography with Panasonic LX100
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
supports focus via touch
no articulating screen
76
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P3
Sports photography with Panasonic LX100
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
67
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (13MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic LX100 Travel photography highlights
60
supports focus via touch
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
75
comes with focus by touch
decent MP (13 megapixels)
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.7)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic LX100 Landscape photography advice
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
73
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.7)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (13MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging information
Panasonic LX100 Vlogging information
35
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.7)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no external microphone support
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic LX100
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-08-17 2014-09-15
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Venus Engine
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 12MP 13MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4112 x 3088
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 49
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-75mm (3.1x)
Highest aperture - f/1.7-2.8
Macro focus range - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 614k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,764k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 7.00 m (with included external flash at ISO 100)
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
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369 gr (0.81 lb) 393 gr (0.87 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 115 x 66 x 55mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 51 67
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 12.5
DXO Low light score 536 553
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 300 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots One One
Launch price $0 $800