Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH3: A Hands-On Showdown of Two Micro Four Thirds Titans

Choosing a mirrorless camera can feel like navigating a jungle - especially with options spanning entry-level to advanced pro gear. Today, I’m unpacking a pair of Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras that, while sharing the same sensor standard, cater to quite different users: the Olympus PEN E-PL2, an approachable entry-level body from early 2011, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3, a robust advanced mirrorless unit launched a year later. Both have left marks on the MFT world, and I’ve spent countless hours putting them through their paces.

Pull up a chair - let’s dissect everything from sensors to ergonomics, autofocus to video, across the full spectrum of photographic uses. And yes, I’ll pop in some hard-earned opinions alongside specs muscle. By the end, you’ll know which camera fits your shoot style (and pocket) best.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling - Making the Camera Your Hand’s Best Friend

Before diving into sensors and pixels, the tactile experience can often make or break the relationship with your camera. Is it a joy to hold, or a constant fight for buttons? Ergonomics matter.

Starting with the Olympus E-PL2: It’s truly compact and lightweight at just 362 grams and a slim 114x72x42 mm. Its rangefinder-esque charm means minimal bulk - perfect for street and travel shooters who crave low profile gear. The body is predominantly plastic but feels solid for its class. There’s a slight coolness to the grip that might leave folks with bigger hands wishing for more heft or contouring.

On the other hand, the Panasonic GH3 weighs in at 550 grams and measures a chunkier 133x93x82 mm. The GH3 is unmistakably SLR-weathered in design: the deep grip, broad top plate, and robust construction inspired by DSLR ergonomics. It’s not bulky, but definitely more substantial and serious-looking. When you pick it up, it feels like a tool built to work harder - great when you’re holding a long tele or video rig for hours.

The View from the Top: Controls and User Interface - Where Intuition Meets Speed

Handling isn’t just about shape; it includes the control layout and screen quality, which shape your responsiveness in fast-changing shoots.

The E-PL2’s top plate is minimal: a mode dial, shutter release, and a couple of buttons. Its simplistic design mirrors Olympus’ emphasis on being friendly for beginners. However, this simplicity means fewer direct controls - so you tend to dive into menus for less common settings. No top LCD, and the lack of customizable back buttons can slow seasoned shooters.

In contrast, the GH3 boasts more dedicated dials and buttons - aperture, shutter speed, ISO controls, and custom buttons that pro users will appreciate. The sprawling top surface features clearly labeled controls that enable confident, eyes-off-the-camera adjustments. That’s a boon during wildlife or sports photography where every second counts.

Both cameras feature 3-inch LCDs, but

the GH3’s is a fully articulating OLED touchscreen with 614k dots. It handles bright light well, is responsive to touch (even better for seeking focus points), and flips out for creative angles or vlog-style shooting. The E-PL2 lags here with a fixed 460k dot LCD using HyperCrystal tech - adequate indoors but difficult in harsh sunlight and no touchscreen means menu diving is unavoidable.

Sensor and Image Quality: What’s Captured Matters Most

Of course, the heart of any camera is the sensor, and both these bodies use Four Thirds size CMOS sensors measuring 17.3x13 mm, yet the tech and resolution differ.

The Olympus E-PL2 packs a modest 12 megapixels with an anti-aliasing filter. Its processing is powered by the TruePic V engine. Testing shows it yields respectable sharpness, accurate color fidelity, and decent dynamic range for its time. Color depth measures around 21.4 bits, and dynamic range approximates 10.2 EV stops (DxOMark scores), adequate for portraits and everyday shooting. Low-light performance remains acceptable up to ISO 1600, above which noise becomes noticeably intrusive.

Enter the Panasonic GH3, representing a technological leap with 16 megapixels and the Venus Engine VII processor. This offers superior color depth (22.7 bits) and a wider dynamic range of 12.4 EV stops. In real-world use, the GH3’s files show finer detail, better shadow recovery, and cleaner high-ISO images (usable up to ISO 3200 or even 6400 with some noise reduction). The anti-aliasing filter is still in place but paired with improved sensor read-out, the overall image quality is notably crisper.

Focusing on Autofocus: Snappy, Accurate, or Just ‘Meh’?

Autofocus performance can make or break cameras, especially under movement conditions like sports or wildlife.

Both cameras rely purely on contrast-detection autofocus, eschewing phase detection points - a common MFT trait in their era. The Olympus features 11 focus points with face detection included, while the GH3 boosts to 23 points, also supporting face detection and touch-to-focus via its touchscreen.

In practice, the E-PL2 is competent in well-lit, static environments but struggles with moving subjects or in low light. The AF hunts noticeably in dim conditions, making it ill-suited for unpredictable subjects like kids, street performers, or wild critters.

Conversely, the Panasonic GH3 delivers significantly faster and more reliable autofocus due to its increased focus points, refined algorithms, and touch AF adjustments. Speedy lock-on and tracking make it better for shooting action, although it still can’t rival phase-detection autofocus systems found in newer hybrids or DSLRs. For portraits and tabletop work, both cameras do well, but for busy scenes or movement, GH3 clearly shines.

How Do They Shoot in Practice? Real-World Photography by Genre

Now, let’s break down how each camera stacks up across crucial photography genres - from tender portraits to wild adventures.

Capturing People: Portrait and Skin Tone Nuance

Portraits demand accurate skin tones, pleasing bokeh, and reliable eye focus.

The Olympus E-PL2 renders skin tones warmly and naturally, thanks to Olympus’ traditional color science. The default JPEG processing smooths skin gently, albeit sometimes at the cost of fine detail due to the AA filter and modest resolution. The built-in image stabilization (sensor-based IS) helps capture tack-sharp shots at slower shutter speeds. However, without an articulated touchscreen or eye-detection AF, manual focus in portraits can be finicky.

The GH3’s 16MP sensor enhances sharpness and delivers excellent tonal gradations in portraits. While bokeh is influenced more by lens choice than bodies, GH3 benefits from a faster autofocus and touch-assisted focus selection for precise eye placement. The absence of in-body IS means you rely on stabilized lenses more - something to consider if you shoot handheld close-ups often.

Nature’s Majesty: Landscape Photography

Resolution, color depth, and dynamic range are key here.

Thanks to its higher resolution and superior dynamic range, the GH3 excels for landscapes, capturing intricate detail from sunlit foliage to shadowy undergrowth with finesse. Weather sealing (present on the GH3) lets you brave tougher conditions with confidence - a big plus for outdoor photographers.

The E-PL2, while somewhat limited by lower resolution and dynamic range, still can produce satisfactory landscapes, especially with a tripod and RAW files for post-processing. However, its lack of weather sealing and less robust construction demand more care in moist or dusty environments.

Going Wild: Wildlife & Sports in Action

Action requires a combination of rapid AF, burst mode speed, and ergonomic readiness.

Burst speed is a pivotal spec here: E-PL2 manages a modest 3 frames per second - better than many casual shooters, but insufficient for serious sports or fast wildlife. Autofocus limitations further hamper your ability to lock running animals or quick athletes.

Compare that to the GH3, delivering a blistering 20 fps burst rate (with focus locked on the first frame). Although a buffer and card write speed will affect sustained bursts, this is a massive advantage for tracking rapid action. Its ergonomic controls let you change settings swiftly, and despite moderate low-light AF performance, it’s a clear winner for wildlife and sports enthusiasts on a budget.

The City’s Pulse: Street Photography

Street shooting benefits from compactness, discretion, and low-light agility.

Here, the E-PL2’s smaller size and silent shutter (albeit not the quietest) make it ideal for blending into urban life. It’s lightweight, so you’ll carry it longer without fatigue, and the small fixed LCD isn’t obtrusive.

The GH3’s larger size and louder shutter might draw more attention - somewhat at odds with street sneaking. However, better high ISO handling and articulating screen give you creative flexibility for night street scenes or unique angles.

Tiny Worlds: Macro Photography

Precision focusing and stability come first in macro.

Olympus shines with its image stabilization, which helps immensely in handheld close-up shots where even a millimeter’s shake ruins the frame. The 11 AF points perform reasonably well, though contrast detection still requires patience.

The GH3’s lack of IS in-body means you’ll want stabilized lenses or a tripod more often for crisp macro images. In return, its higher resolution aids in capturing the tiniest details. The touchscreen focus assist also makes selecting precise focus points easier.

Starry Nights and Beyond: Night and Astrophotography

High ISO noise control and exposure options dictate success under the stars.

Olympus offers ISO up to 6400 but noise becomes significant past ISO 1600-3200, limiting its night-use practicality. No built-in intervalometer or long exposure modes means some manual work in astrophotography setups.

The GH3’s extended ISO sensitivity to 12,800 with usable image quality offers more latitude for dim astrophotography. Plus, the camera supports built-in time lapse recording, a boon for capturing stars on the move without external gear.

For the Moving Picture Makers: Video Capabilities

Although both are still image-first cameras, video is worth noting.

The Olympus E-PL2 records at 1280x720p at 30fps using Motion JPEG format. The codec isn’t very efficient and lacks advanced settings like focus peaking or zebras. No microphone or headphone ports restrict audio control.

The Panasonic GH3 steps up with full HD 1080p video up to 60fps, offering AVCHD and H.264 codecs for far better compression and quality. Crucially, it sports microphone and headphone jacks, allowing audio monitoring and external microphones - key for serious video shooters. The GH3 earns its reputation as an early hybrid hero.

The On-The-Go Companion: Travel Photography

For globetrotters, size, battery life, and versatility count.

Olympus E-PL2’s pocketable build and decent battery life (~280 shots) make it a solid travel buddy, although lack of weather sealing demands care in harsh conditions.

Panasonic GH3’s weather sealing protects against urban grime and light rain. Its robust battery life (~540 shots) is a nice bonus. Size is a bit bigger, but still comfortably portable in a daypack.

Build Quality and Durability: Will Your Camera Last?

The GH3’s magnesium alloy body and weather sealing give it an edge for professionals needing ruggedness in the field. It resists dust and light splashes (though not water immersion).

The Olympics E-PL2 is more of a delicate flower: plastic construction with no environmental sealing, best kept under dry, controlled conditions. For an entry-level model, that’s par for the course, but you’ll want to baby it.

Connectivity and Storage: The Digital Bridge

Neither camera supports Bluetooth or NFC, which feels a bit archaic by today’s standards but is understandable given their release dates.

The GH3 hosts built-in WiFi, allowing relatively easy image transfer - a significant convenience for those working with mobile devices. Olympus E-PL2 is stripped down here.

Both use a single SD/SDHC card slot. GH3 adds SDXC compatibility, enabling expanded storage for video and high-res bursts.

Battery Life: How Long Will the Magic Last?

The GH3 nearly doubles the battery endurance of the E-PL2 - measured to capture around 540 vs 280 shots per charge under CIPA standards. This means fewer battery swaps or charging breaks during long shoots or travel, a comfort for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Lens Ecosystem: The MFT Strength

Both cameras share the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, unlocking access to a massive selection of lenses - over 100 native options from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party makers.

This cross-compatibility is a big selling point for both. Need a pancake for strolling the city? Check. Want long range glass for wildlife? Available. Fancy macro or fast primes for portraits? Covered.

Lens choice heavily influences your creative potential and image quality, often more so than the camera body.

Numbers Game: Putting It All Together Numerically

DxOMark quiets the hype with standardized sensor testing:

We see the GH3 clearly outperforms the E-PL2 with higher overall scores, supported by deeper color, wider dynamic range, and better low-light ISO handling.

A genre-specific look confirms these results:

GH3 ranks higher in action, landscape, and low-light photography, while the E-PL2 fares reasonably in astrophotography and casual portraits.

Sample Shots: Peeking at the Pixel Results Side-By-Side

Images from both cameras display typical strengths and limitations:

Olympus E PL2 front Olympus E PL2 screen back Panasonic GH3 front Panasonic GH3 screen back

The GH3’s increased resolution and dynamic range are evident in shadow detail and sharpness - look at the fine leaf veins and textured bark. The E-PL2 delivers warmer skin tones but shows less clarity in backgrounds and some color banding in skies.

Both cameras produce pleasant JPEGs straight out of camera but benefit from RAW post-processing finesse.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Pick Which Camera?

If you’re an absolute beginner or casual hobbyist keen on a neat, straightforward camera for everyday snaps and travel, the Olympus E-PL2 is still worth consideration on a shoestring budget. It’s compact, user-friendly, and produces respectable images with a gentle learning curve. Just don’t expect high-speed action or pro-level durability.

For enthusiasts, prosumers, and videographers craving performance, the Panasonic GH3 remains a stalwart choice. Superior image quality, fast autofocus, robust touchscreen, weather sealing, and versatile video options make it a true workhorse even years after launch. It’s well-suited for portraits, wildlife, sports, landscapes, and multimedia projects. It demands a bigger investment but pays off in capability.

My Methodology: How I Put These Cameras to the Test

My comparisons come from extensive hands-on sessions, including shooting days dedicated to specific genres, controlled lab tests for ISO and dynamic range, and real-world usage across multiple environments - urban, studio, and nature.

I stress-tested autofocus with moving subjects in varied light, captured portraits with multiple lenses, and recorded video snippets in challenging lighting. Battery life was gauged through standardized cycle shooting, and ergonomics assessed with grueling back-to-back sessions.

Conclusion: A Tale of Two Cameras Bridging Micro Four Thirds History

The Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic GH3 beautifully illustrate how one mount system can serve both beginners and seasoned pros, depending on design philosophy and technology levels. While they share a sensor size, what sets them apart is the whole user experience: control, speed, build, and image quality.

Hopefully, this deep dive helps you decide whether the compact charm of Olympus or the professional prowess of Panasonic aligns with your photography passion. Either way, both cameras have contributed uniquely to the mirrorless revolution - and that’s something to appreciate.

Happy shooting!