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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic TS3

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic TS3 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
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic TS3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FT3
  • Succeeded the Panasonic TS2
  • Newer Model is Panasonic TS4
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic TS3 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic TS3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the TS3 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and TS3 (1/2.3") come with different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL2 was unveiled 6 months prior to the TS3 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic TS3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-PL2 matches up against the TS3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic TS3

 E-PL2 TS3 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Olympus E-PL2

 TS3 E-PL2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic TS3

 E-PL2 TS3 
LaunchedFebruary 2011August 2011Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic TS3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera often, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 features 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) and the Panasonic TS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic TS3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL2 vs the TS3.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic TS3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and TS3 is 85 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic TS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic TS3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing only by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and TS3.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 contains the larger sensor which should make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic TS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic TS3 Portrait photography advice
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic TS3 as a Street photography camera
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Panasonic TS3
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (280 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery life (310 per charge)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic TS3 Travel photography highlights
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (280 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
64
good battery life (310 CIPA)
weather sealing
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic TS3 Landscape photography highlights
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (280 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
good battery life (310 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging factors
Panasonic TS3 Vlogging factors
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic TS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic TS3
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FT3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Released 2011-02-11 2011-08-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-128mm (4.6x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362 gr (0.80 lbs) 197 gr (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs 310 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $0 $380