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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic LX3

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic LX3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched November 2008
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LX5
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic LX3 Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic LX3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the LX3 (10MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and LX3 (1/1.63") feature different sensor size.

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The E-PL2 was unveiled 2 years after the LX3 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-PL2 scores vs the LX3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic LX3

 E-PL2 LX3 
LaunchedFebruary 2011November 2008More modern by 28 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Olympus E-PL2

 LX3 E-PL2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic LX3

 E-PL2 LX3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic LX3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL2 has got external measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Panasonic LX3 has measurements of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic LX3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL2 vs the LX3.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic LX3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and LX3 is 85 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic LX3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic LX3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL2 and LX3.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL2 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Olympus E-PL2 will deliver more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher E-PL2 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic LX3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic LX3 Portrait photography factors
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
40
manual focus
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LX3 as a Street photography camera
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/1.63")
heavier than average in class (265g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography details
Panasonic LX3 Sports photography details
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
low battery power (280 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.63")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic LX3 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
low battery power (280 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (265g)
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL2
Landscape photography with Panasonic LX3
61
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (280 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
52
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.63")
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LX3 as a Vlogging camera
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone jack
30
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic socket
heavier than average in class (265 grams)
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic LX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic LX3
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-02-11 2008-11-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-60mm (2.5x)
Largest aperture - f/2.0-2.8
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 4.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 8.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 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) 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format 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 362 gr (0.80 lbs) 265 gr (0.58 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 39
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 19.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 10.8
DXO Low light score 573 94
Other
Battery life 280 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $0 $449