Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH10

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic FH10, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and FH10 (16MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and FH10 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL3 was launched 15 months earlier than the FH10 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH10 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-PL3 grades vs the FH10 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH10. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Panasonic FH10 Gallery.

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you have to think about 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") accompanied by a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Panasonic FH10 has proportions of 94mm x 54mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic FH10 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL3 versus the FH10.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and FH10 is 88 and 97 respectively.

Often, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching technical specs. The photograph below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and FH10.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL3 due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Panasonic FH10 will provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older E-PL3 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.