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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300 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
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Launched July 2015
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic FZ200
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic FZ300, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the FZ300 (12MP) is fairly similar but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and FZ300 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL3 was announced 4 years before the FZ300 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-PL3 scores versus the FZ300 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic FZ300

 E-PL3 FZ300 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Olympus E-PL3

 FZ300 E-PL3 
LaunchedJuly 2015September 2011More recent by 46 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k460kSharper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ300

 E-PL3 FZ300 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL3 provides outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ300 has specifications of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") accompanied by a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic FZ300 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the FZ300.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and FZ300 is 88 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading specifications. The graphic here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and FZ300.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor measurements. The E-PL3 contains the larger sensor which should make getting shallower DOF easier. The older E-PL3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FZ300 Portrait photography factors
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
46
you can focus manually
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography factors
Panasonic FZ300 Street photography factors
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
59
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
provides focus by touch
weather proofing
small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than average (691 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Sports photography camera
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Travel photography camera
44
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (300 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
59
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
weather proofing
provides focus by touch
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
heavier than average (691 grams)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
52
you can focus manually
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
good battery pack (380 per charge)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of mic socket
62
really wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic port
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than average (691 grams)
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ300
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-09-20 2015-07-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic VI Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 49
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 8.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313g (0.69 pounds) 691g (1.52 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6")
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 380 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $399 $598