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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FH3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FH3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed November 2010
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FH3 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FH3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the FH3 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and FH3 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1s was introduced 11 months after the FH3 and they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-PL1s scores vs the FH3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic FH3

 E-PL1s FH3 
LaunchedNovember 2010January 2010More modern by 11 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 FH3 E-PL1s 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FH3

 E-PL1s FH3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FH3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1s has got exterior measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH3 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FH3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL1s against the FH3.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FH3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1s and FH3 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FH3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FH3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by seeing specs. The pic here should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1s and FH3.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL1s having a bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic FH3 will show more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent E-PL1s is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FH3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography features
Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography features
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
28
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Street photography camera
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Sports photography camera
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (290 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
64
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography information
Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography information
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
37
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging factors
Panasonic FH3 Vlogging factors
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
29
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FH3
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1s Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FS11
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-11-16 2010-01-06
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor 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
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 6.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lb) 165 grams (0.36 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $599 $160