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Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
85
Imaging
53
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-P5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Olympus E-P5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 420g - 122 x 69 x 37mm
  • Revealed October 2013
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-P3
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Updated by Panasonic GF5
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the E-P5 (16MP) and GF3 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-P5 was released 2 years after the GF3 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the E-P5 scores against the GF3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P5 over the Panasonic GF3

 E-P5 GF3 
RevealedOctober 2013August 2011Newer by 27 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus E-P5

 GF3 E-P5 

Common features in the Olympus E-P5 and Panasonic GF3

 E-P5 GF3 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P5 has external measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5") having a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF3 has measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-P5 versus the GF3.

Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P5 and GF3 is 85 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions simply by looking at a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P5 and GF3.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Olympus E-P5 to give extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The younger E-P5 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Portrait photography features
Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography features
71
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/320s)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
55
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Street photography highlights
Panasonic GF3 Street photography highlights
78
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
more heavy than competition in class (420g)
70
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
supports touch focus
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Sports photography information
Panasonic GF3 Sports photography information
68
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
lacks phase detect AF
38
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Travel photography advice
Panasonic GF3 Travel photography advice
68
supports focus via touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than competition in class (420 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
58
supports touch focus
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P5
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF3
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Vlogging advice
Panasonic GF3 Vlogging advice
33
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (420 grams)
32
touchscreen capability
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
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Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P5 and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus PEN E-P5Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-10-03 2011-08-11
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine FHD
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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech 3:2 LCD capacitive touchscreen TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (ISO 100) 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (1st or 2nd curtain), Manual (1/1 - 1/64) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/320 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 420 grams (0.93 lb) 264 grams (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 50
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 20.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 10.1
DXO Low light rating 895 459
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 300 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $389 $360