Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH1

Lets take a closer look at the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic FH1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the FH1 (12MP) is very comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and FH1 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL3 was brought out 21 months after the FH1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-PL3 grades versus the FH1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery and Panasonic FH1 Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL3 provides outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Panasonic FH1 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 163 grams (0.36 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic FH1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL3 versus the FH1.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and FH1 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Often, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing specs. The pic below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and FH1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have got the exact same resolution but not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PL3 has the larger sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF easier. The younger E-PL3 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.