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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ20 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
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P5
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Replacement is Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic LZ20, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and LZ20 (16MP) and the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and LZ20 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

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The E-P3 was revealed 11 months before the LZ20 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-P3 scores against the LZ20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic LZ20

 E-P3 LZ20 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display resolution614k460kCrisper display (+154k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus E-P3

 LZ20 E-P3 
RevealedJuly 2012August 2011Newer by 11 months

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic LZ20

 E-P3 LZ20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P3 comes with external measurements 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 LZ20 has measurements of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic LZ20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-P3 against the LZ20.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P3 and LZ20 is 86 and 71 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading specifications. The pic here should give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P3 and LZ20.

To sum up, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-P3 having a larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic LZ20 will deliver greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged E-P3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
37
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography features
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography features
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
has focus via touch
no articulating screen
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than others in class (499 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography highlights
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
no phase detect AF
47
excellent zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Travel photography camera
60
has focus via touch
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
58
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (525mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (499 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography details
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography details
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
missing Timelapse recording
45
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Vlogging camera
35
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
25
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than others in class (499 grams)
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-08-17 2012-07-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-525mm (21.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing range - 2cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 614 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 6.80 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 369g (0.81 lb) 499g (1.10 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
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 images 380 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $0 $250