Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300
Portability
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Portability
59 Imaging
37 Features
73 Overall
51
59 Imaging
37 Features
73 Overall
51
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ300 Key Specs
Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
(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)
(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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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.
Photography GlossaryThe 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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Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Panasonic FZ300 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | July 2015 |  | September 2011 | More recent by 46 months |
| Display type | Fully Articulated |  | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
| Display resolution | 1040k |  | 460k | Sharper 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 sizing | 3" |  | 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.
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.
Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and FZ300 is 88 and 59 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FZ300 Portrait photography factors
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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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Olympus E-PL3 Street photography factors
Panasonic FZ300 Street photography factors
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
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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Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Sports photography camera
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
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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Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Travel photography camera
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (300 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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)
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Olympus E-PL3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Landscape photography camera
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
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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Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Vlogging camera
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
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
| Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Panasonic 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 |