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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ100

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ100 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Released September 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Replacement is Panasonic FZ200
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ100 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ100, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the FZ100 (14MP) is very comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and FZ100 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL3 was revealed 15 months later than the FZ100 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-PL3 matches up versus the FZ100 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic FZ100

 E-PL3 FZ100 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011July 2010More recent by 15 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Olympus E-PL3

 FZ100 E-PL3 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ100

 E-PL3 FZ100 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 comes with outside 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 FZ100 has proportions of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the E-PL3 versus the FZ100.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and FZ100 is 88 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ100 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements just by seeing technical specs. The graphic here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and FZ100.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL3 having a larger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic FZ100 will provide extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The newer E-PL3 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ100 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography features
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
54
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography info
Panasonic FZ100 Street photography info
84
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
58
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (540 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL3
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ100
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
has tracking focus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography factors
44
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery (300 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
59
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (540g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography features
Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography features
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
51
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ100 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
64
decently wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic socket
slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competitors in class (540g)
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ100
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-09-20 2010-07-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic VI Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per sec 11.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313 grams (0.69 pounds) 540 grams (1.19 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $399 $500