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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S front
Portability
62
Imaging
50
Features
82
Overall
62

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic GH5S
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Introduced January 2018
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the GH5S (10MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL3 was introduced 7 years prior to the GH5S which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-PL3 grades versus the GH5S in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic GH5S

 E-PL3 GH5S 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5S over the Olympus E-PL3

 GH5S E-PL3 
IntroducedJanuary 2018September 2011More modern by 76 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k460kClearer display (+1160k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GH5S

 E-PL3 GH5S 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL3 offers outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Panasonic GH5S has measurements of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") having a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the E-PL3 vs the GH5S.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and GH5S is 88 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing specs. The picture below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and GH5S.

All in all, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus E-PL3 to deliver greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL3
Portrait photography with Panasonic GH5S
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
62
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL3
Street photography with Panasonic GH5S
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
68
screen articulates
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has focus by touch
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic GH5S Sports photography advice
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (300 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
56
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Travel photography camera
44
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (300 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
61
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
has focus by touch
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (10MP)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GH5S Landscape photography highlights
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (300 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
63
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging factors
Panasonic GH5S Vlogging factors
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
68
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic port
does not have image stabilization
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GH5S
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-09-20 2018-01-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic VI Venus Engine 10
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 3680 x 2760
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 160
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 225
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 1,620 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.76x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313 gr (0.69 pounds) 660 gr (1.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 440 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/3 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II V60 cards supported)
Storage slots One Two
Retail pricing $399 $2,498