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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 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
  • Launched September 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic FS42
(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
Photography Glossary

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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic FS42

 E-PL3 FS42 
IntroducedSeptember 2011April 2009More recent by 30 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography details
Panasonic FS42 Street photography details
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
max ISO too low (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL3
Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery power (300 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
16
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL3
Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
44
no Time Lapse function
low battery power (300 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL3
Landscape photography with Panasonic FS42
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 shots)
no Time Lapse function
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no external mic socket
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic 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