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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.

Photography Glossary 
	
	

		

		
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)
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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