Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs
(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
- Launched September 2011
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand to 6400)
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
- Introduced April 2009
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview
On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic FS42, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and FS42 (1/2.5") posses totally different sensor sizing.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe E-PL3 was released 2 years later than the FS42 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-PL3 matches up against the FS42 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Panasonic FS42 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic FS42
E-PL3 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2011 | April 2009 | More recent by 30 months | |
Focus manually | More precise focusing | |||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus E-PL3
FS42 | E-PL3 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FS42
E-PL3 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen | |||
Touch screen | Neither features Touch screen |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL3 enjoys exterior measurements 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 FS42 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic FS42 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL3 vs the FS42.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and FS42 is 88 and 95 respectively.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by reading technical specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and FS42.
As you have seen, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL3 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-PL3 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-PL3 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Launched | 2011-09-20 | 2009-04-17 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Truepic VI | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.5" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 1000 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Number of lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 2.5" |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 6.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 gr (0.69 pounds) | 132 gr (0.29 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 images | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLS-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $399 | $580 |