Clicky

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Introduced November 2011
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the 3D1 (12MP) is very well matched but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and 3D1 (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The E-PL2 was unveiled 8 months earlier than the 3D1 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic 3D1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-PL2 scores versus the 3D1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic 3D1

 E-PL2 3D1 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Olympus E-PL2

 3D1 E-PL2 
IntroducedNovember 2011February 2011Newer by 8 months
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic 3D1

 E-PL2 3D1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL2 comes with external dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Panasonic 3D1 has sizing of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL2 compared to the 3D1.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and 3D1 is 85 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The pic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and 3D1.

Clearly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact resolution but different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 offers the larger sensor which will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult. The more aged E-PL2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography information
Panasonic 3D1 Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
27
provides face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic 3D1 as a Street photography camera
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic 3D1 as a Sports photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (280 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic 3D1 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (280 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
59
has touch to focus
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery (200 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic 3D1 as a Landscape photography camera
61
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
not so great battery life (280 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
36
pretty wide (25mm)
big screen (3.5 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery (200 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL2
Vlogging with Panasonic 3D1
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone port
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic 3D1
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-02-11 2011-11-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.9-5.7
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3.5"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362g (0.80 lbs) 193g (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 images 200 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $0 $670