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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1H

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H front
Portability
52
Imaging
75
Features
87
Overall
79

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1H 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
  • Released September 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic S1H
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 5952 x 3988 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1052g - 151 x 114 x 110mm
  • Released August 2019
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1H Overview

The following is a extended review of the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic S1H, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and S1H (24MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and S1H (Full frame) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL3 was revealed 9 years prior to the S1H which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S1H being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-PL3 grades vs the S1H when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic S1H

 E-PL3 S1H 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1H over the Olympus E-PL3

 S1H E-PL3 
ReleasedAugust 2019September 2011Newer by 96 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2330k460kCrisper display (+1870k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic S1H

 E-PL3 S1H 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1H Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 features external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S1H has proportions of 151mm x 114mm x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3") having a weight of 1052 grams (2.32 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic S1H in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL3 versus the S1H.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1H size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and S1H is 88 and 52 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1H top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1H Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at specifications. The image underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and S1H.

To sum up, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL3 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Panasonic S1H will resolve more detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1H sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1H Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1H Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S1H Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
85
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL3
Street photography with Panasonic S1H
84
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
69
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
environment proof
good ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competition in class (1,052 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic S1H Sports photography factors
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
terrible battery (400 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Panasonic S1H Travel photography advice
44
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
environment proof
supports bluetooth
boasts touch focus
MP count good (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
terrible battery (400 shots)
more heavy than competition in class (1,052 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL3
Landscape photography with Panasonic S1H
61
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (400 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging information
Panasonic S1H Vlogging information
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
70
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high res video (5952 x 3988 pixels)
includes microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (1,052 grams)
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1H Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic S1H
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2011-09-20 2019-08-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic VI Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 225
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Total lenses 107 30
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 2,330k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/320 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 5952 x 3988 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 5952x3988
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313g (0.69 pounds) 1052g (2.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 151 x 114 x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 400 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots One Two
Price at launch $399 $3,998