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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1R

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R front
Portability
54
Imaging
79
Features
84
Overall
81

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1R Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Launched September 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic S1R
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1020g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Introduced February 2019
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1R Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic S1R, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and S1R (47MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and S1R (Full frame) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL3 was introduced 8 years before the S1R which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S1R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-PL3 matches up against the S1R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic S1R

 E-PL3 S1R 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1R over the Olympus E-PL3

 S1R E-PL3 
IntroducedFebruary 2019September 2011More modern by 89 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k460kCrisper screen (+1640k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic S1R

 E-PL3 S1R 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1R Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL3 has outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Panasonic S1R has measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") along with a weight of 1020 grams (2.25 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic S1R in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PL3 versus the S1R.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1R size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and S1R is 88 and 54 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1R top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1R Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out specifications. The picture below should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL3 and S1R.

Plainly, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL3 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic S1R will produce extra detail using its extra 35 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1R sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1R Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic S1R Portrait photography highlights
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
87
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
megapixel count excellent (47 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography advice
Panasonic S1R Street photography advice
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
71
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
has touch to focus
environment sealing
great ISO range (25,600)
heavier than competitors (1,020g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S1R as a Sports photography camera
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (47MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
bad battery pack (360 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography information
Panasonic S1R Travel photography information
44
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
has touch to focus
megapixel count excellent (47MP)
bad battery pack (360 per charge)
heavier than competitors (1,020g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic S1R Landscape photography factors
61
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
82
you can focus manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (47MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
bad battery pack (360 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging information
Panasonic S1R Vlogging information
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
32
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (1,020g)
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S1R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic S1R
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2011-09-20 2019-02-01
Physical type 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 dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 47 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 8000 x 6000
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 225
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Total lenses 107 30
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 2,100 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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 w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/320 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313g (0.69 lb) 1020g (2.25 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 100
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 26.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 14.1
DXO Low light rating 499 3525
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 360 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots Single 2
Launch price $399 $3,698