Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP3
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45


95 Imaging
36 Features
25 Overall
31
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Released May 2010
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
- Launched January 2010

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP3 Overview
Below is a extended review of the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the FP3 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and FP3 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor measurements.

The E-PL1 was introduced 5 months later than the FP3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-PL1 grades against the FP3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery and Panasonic FP3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic FP3
E-PL1 | FP3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Olympus E-PL1
FP3 | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FP3
E-PL1 | FP3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | May 2010 | ![]() | January 2010 | Same generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP3 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 has got external measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic FP3 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the E-PL1 vs the FP3.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and FP3 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by seeing technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and FP3.
As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1 having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic FP3 will provide more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP3 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Released | 2010-05-17 | 2010-01-06 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Truepic V | Venus Engine IV |
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 aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 10cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames per second | 5.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 10.00 m | 4.90 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/160 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 334 grams (0.74 lb) | 155 grams (0.34 lb) |
Dimensions | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 54 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.5 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.1 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 487 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 images | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLS-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $288 | $182 |