Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ40

Following is a thorough review of the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ40, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is very well matched but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and FZ40 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL3 was released 15 months after the FZ40 making them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-PL3 scores against the FZ40 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Panasonic FZ40 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL3 has got external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ40 has specifications of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ40 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the FZ40.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and FZ40 is 88 and 68 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and FZ40.

As you can see, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL3 because of its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic FZ40 will give extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The newer E-PL3 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.