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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48 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
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX40
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the FX48 (12MP) is very well matched but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and FX48 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL3 was brought out 2 years after the FX48 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-PL3 matches up versus the FX48 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic FX48

 E-PL3 FX48 
IntroducedSeptember 2011January 2009More modern by 33 months
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Olympus E-PL3

 FX48 E-PL3 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FX48

 E-PL3 FX48 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL3 offers physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Panasonic FX48 has dimensions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL3 and the FX48.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and FX48 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizes just by checking a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and FX48.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature the identical MP but not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL3 contains the larger sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult. The newer E-PL3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
27
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography advice
Panasonic FX48 Street photography advice
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FX48 Sports photography highlights
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery pack (300 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography info
Panasonic FX48 Travel photography info
44
no Timelapse recording
low battery pack (300 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
58
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography details
Panasonic FX48 Landscape photography details
61
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery pack (300 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
33
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging information
Panasonic FX48 Vlogging information
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone jack
30
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic support
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FX48 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FX48
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FX40
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-09-20 2009-01-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic VI -
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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/3000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313 gr (0.69 lb) 150 gr (0.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" 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 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $399 $325