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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6 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
  • Announced September 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic FH6
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 56 x 20mm
  • Released January 2012
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the FH6 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and FH6 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL3 was unveiled 3 months before the FH6 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH6 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-PL3 scores against the FH6 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic FH6

 E-PL3 FH6 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH6 over the Olympus E-PL3

 FH6 E-PL3 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FH6

 E-PL3 FH6 
ReleasedSeptember 2011January 2012Same generation
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 has got exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH6 has proportions of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL3 against the FH6.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and FH6 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out technical specs. The visual below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and FH6.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic FH6 will show more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FH6 Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH6 as a Street photography camera
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (119 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH6 as a Sports photography camera
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
better than average battery life (280 per charge)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL3
Travel photography with Panasonic FH6
44
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery power (300 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
better than average battery life (280 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (119g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FH6 Landscape photography highlights
61
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery power (300 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
41
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
better than average battery life (280 per charge)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging features
Panasonic FH6 Vlogging features
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (119g)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FH6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FH6
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-09-20 2012-01-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.5-6.4
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG 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 313 grams (0.69 lb) 119 grams (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 96 x 56 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 280 photos
Style 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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $399 $129