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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic 3D1

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic 3D1 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
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Released November 2011
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic 3D1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the 3D1 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and 3D1 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL3 was manufactured very close to the 3D1 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic 3D1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-PL3 grades against the 3D1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic 3D1

 E-PL3 3D1 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Olympus E-PL3

 3D1 E-PL3 
Screen dimension3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic 3D1

 E-PL3 3D1 
ReleasedSeptember 2011November 2011Similar generation
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL3 enjoys exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Panasonic 3D1 has dimensions of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic 3D1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PL3 vs the 3D1.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic 3D1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and 3D1 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic 3D1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The pic here will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and 3D1.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have got the exact same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PL3 contains the bigger sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF simpler.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic 3D1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL3
Portrait photography with Panasonic 3D1
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
27
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL3
Street photography with Panasonic 3D1
84
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic 3D1 as a Sports photography camera
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery life (300 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL3
Travel photography with Panasonic 3D1
44
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery life (300 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
59
comes with focus via touch
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography features
Panasonic 3D1 Landscape photography features
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery life (300 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
36
fairly wide (25mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery power (200 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
Vlogging with Panasonic 3D1
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly display
missing external mic jack
34
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing external microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic 3D1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic 3D1
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-09-20 2011-11-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.9-5.7
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3.5 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 313g (0.69 pounds) 193g (0.43 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 200 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $399 $670