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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FP3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FP3 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
  • Launched November 2010
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FP3 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FP3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the FP3 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and FP3 (1/2.3") possess different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1s was manufactured 11 months later than the FP3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-PL1s scores vs the FP3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic FP3

 E-PL1s FP3 
LaunchedNovember 2010January 2010More recent by 11 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 FP3 E-PL1s 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FP3

 E-PL1s FP3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FP3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1s enjoys exterior measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic FP3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FP3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL1s compared to the FP3.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FP3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1s and FP3 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FP3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FP3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by going through technical specs. The photograph below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and FP3.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1s because of its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Panasonic FP3 will show more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The fresher E-PL1s should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FP3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FP3 Portrait photography advice
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
28
resolution is good (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FP3 as a Street photography camera
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (155g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FP3 as a Sports photography camera
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery (290 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Travel photography with Panasonic FP3
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery (290 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
60
includes focus by touch
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (155g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Landscape photography with Panasonic FP3
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery (290 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
37
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging factors
Panasonic FP3 Vlogging factors
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
27
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (155 grams)
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FP3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FP3
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPanasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1s Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2010-11-16 2010-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Venus Engine IV
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 4.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 gr (0.74 lb) 155 gr (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 Overall 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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $599 $182