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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 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
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic S3
(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
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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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic S3

 E-PL2 S3 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper 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 
IntroducedFebruary 2011January 2011Same generation
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
28
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography features
Panasonic S3 Street photography features
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Sports photography highlights
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (280 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
Travel photography with Panasonic S3
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (280 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition (117 grams)
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL2
Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery pack (280 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
38
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic S3
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic 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