Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3
85 Imaging
48 Features
47 Overall
47
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(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
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
- Updated by Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Introduced January 2011
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 Overview
Below is a complete analysis of the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic S3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively close but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and S3 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe E-PL2 was revealed 2 months later than the S3 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.
Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-PL2 grades against the S3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL2 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery and Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic S3
E-PL2 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | More exact focus | |||
Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus E-PL2
S3 | E-PL2 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic S3
E-PL2 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2011 | January 2011 | Same generation | |
Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen | |||
Touch screen | Neither provides Touch screen |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL2 provides outer dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Panasonic S3 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic S3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL2 and the S3.
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and S3 is 85 and 96 respectively.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching technical specs. The photograph underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and S3.
As you have seen, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL2 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic S3 will render extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2011-02-11 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Truepic V | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Amount of lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 8 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 10.00 m | 3.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 362g (0.80 lbs) | 117g (0.26 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.2 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 573 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 280 pictures | 250 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | 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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $0 | $110 |