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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 front
Portability
72
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28 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
  • Launched September 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic FZ28
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 27-486mm (F2.8-4.4) lens
  • 417g - 118 x 75 x 89mm
  • Announced January 2009
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the FZ28 (10MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and FZ28 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL3 was introduced 2 years later than the FZ28 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera 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 FZ28 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-PL3 matches up versus the FZ28 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic FZ28

 E-PL3 FZ28 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011January 2009Fresher by 33 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ28 over the Olympus E-PL3

 FZ28 E-PL3 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ28

 E-PL3 FZ28 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL3 provides exterior dimensions 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 FZ28 has sizing of 118mm x 75mm x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5") having a weight of 417 grams (0.92 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the FZ28.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and FZ28 is 88 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to see the gap in sensor sizing merely by checking out a spec sheet. The visual here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and FZ28.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 having a larger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Olympus E-PL3 will show more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-PL3 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic FZ28 Portrait photography info
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
35
focusing manually
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography advice
Panasonic FZ28 Street photography advice
84
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography info
Panasonic FZ28 Sports photography info
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery power (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
33
long zoom range (27-486mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography features
Panasonic FZ28 Travel photography features
44
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (300 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
52
has built in flash
decently wide (27mm)
great reach (486mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FZ28 Landscape photography information
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery power (300 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
40
focusing manually
decently wide (27mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FZ28 Vlogging highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
24
decently wide (27mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ28 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ28
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-09-20 2009-01-15
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 27-486mm (18.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-4.4
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 8.50 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 @ 30fps, 320 x 240 @ 10fps
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313g (0.69 lbs) 417g (0.92 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 118 x 75 x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 27
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 17.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 10.1
DXO Low light rating 499 79
Other
Battery life 300 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $399 $599