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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic S2 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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Renewed by Olympus E-P5
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic S2, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the S2 (14MP) is very comparable but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and S2 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

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The E-P3 was announced 4 months before the S2 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the E-P3 grades against the S2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic S2

 E-P3 S2 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kSharper display (+384k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Olympus E-P3

 S2 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic S2

 E-P3 S2 
RevealedAugust 2011January 2012Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-P3 features external measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Panasonic S2 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic S2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-P3 against the S2.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P3 and S2 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The photograph underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and S2.

Plainly, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-P3 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic S2 will show extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos more aggressively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography details
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography details
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P3
Street photography with Panasonic S2
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
includes touch focus
fixed screen
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (112g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic S2 Sports photography factors
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (3.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
does not have phase detect AF
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
better than average battery life (280 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-P3
Travel photography with Panasonic S2
60
includes touch focus
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
70
better than average battery life (280 shots)
lighter than competition (112g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P3
Landscape photography with Panasonic S2
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
41
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
better than average battery life (280 per charge)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging information
Panasonic S2 Vlogging information
35
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
32
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (112g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic S2
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-08-17 2012-01-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
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
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 614 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369 grams (0.81 lbs) 112 grams (0.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 280 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $0 $109