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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GF3 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
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL2
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
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF2
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF5
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic GF3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL1s was introduced 8 months before the GF3 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-PL1s matches up vs the GF3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic GF3

 E-PL1s GF3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 GF3 E-PL1s 
RevealedAugust 2011November 2010More recent by 8 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic GF3

 E-PL1s GF3 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1s comes with physical dimensions 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 GF3 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic GF3 in our newest Camera & 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. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-PL1s versus the GF3.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and GF3 is 86 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements only by seeing specifications. The graphic here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1s and GF3.

Plainly, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos but you need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The older E-PL1s will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF3
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
55
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Street photography camera
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
70
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features focus via touch
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Sports photography with Panasonic GF3
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
38
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (300 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography factors
Panasonic GF3 Travel photography factors
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (290 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
58
features focus via touch
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (300 shots)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Landscape photography camera
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery power (300 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging details
Panasonic GF3 Vlogging details
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
32
touchscreen capability
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1s Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-11-16 2011-08-11
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lbs) 264 grams (0.58 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 50
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.1
DXO Low light score not tested 459
Other
Battery life 290 photos 300 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $599 $360