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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FP1

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FP1 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
  • Released September 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2010
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FP1 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FP1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the FP1 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and FP1 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL3 was announced 21 months later than the FP1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-PL3 matches up against the FP1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic FP1

 E-PL3 FP1 
LaunchedSeptember 2011January 2010Fresher by 21 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Olympus E-PL3

 FP1 E-PL3 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FP1

 E-PL3 FP1 
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FP1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL3 offers outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Panasonic FP1 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FP1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the E-PL3 and the FP1.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FP1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and FP1 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FP1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FP1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through technical specs. The photograph below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and FP1.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have got the exact same MP albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 includes the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field less difficult. The newer E-PL3 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FP1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FP1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FP1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic FP1 Portrait photography info
60
focusing manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
21
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL3
Street photography with Panasonic FP1
84
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competition in class (151 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography features
Panasonic FP1 Sports photography features
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
slow fps (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery power (300 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FP1 Travel photography advice
44
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (300 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (151g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FP1 as a Landscape photography camera
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FP1 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
heavier than competition in class (151 grams)
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FP1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FP1
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Released 2011-09-20 2010-01-06
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic VI Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range - 10cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 lb) 151g (0.33 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
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 shots -
Style of battery 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 Single Single
Launch cost $399 $153