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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G3 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
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic G2
  • Newer Model is Panasonic G5
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G3 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic G3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and G3 (16MP) but they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL1s was brought out 7 months before the G3 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short view of how the E-PL1s matches up against the G3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic G3

 E-PL1s G3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 G3 E-PL1s 
LaunchedJuly 2011November 2010Fresher by 7 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic G3

 E-PL1s G3 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1s offers outer dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Panasonic G3 has dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") and a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic G3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL1s vs the G3.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1s and G3 is 86 and 83 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing simply by going through specs. The photograph here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1s and G3.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic G3 to show extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The older E-PL1s will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography advice
Panasonic G3 Portrait photography advice
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
70
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Street photography details
Panasonic G3 Street photography details
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
75
fully articulated screen
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
provides focus via touch
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic G3 as a Sports photography camera
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
46
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
low fps (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
not so great battery life (270 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography advice
Panasonic G3 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (290 shots)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
provides focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (270 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography info
Panasonic G3 Landscape photography info
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
bad battery pack (290 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
62
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
not so great battery life (270 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging highlights
Panasonic G3 Vlogging highlights
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
70
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
no image stabilization
does not have microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic G3
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPanasonic Lumix DMC-G3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1s Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-11-16 2011-07-11
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4592 x 3448
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m 11.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps))
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 gr (0.74 pounds) 336 gr (0.74 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 56
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.6
DXO Low light score not tested 667
Other
Battery life 290 images 270 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $599 $500