Clicky

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 front
Portability
68
Imaging
35
Features
45
Overall
39

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47 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
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic FZ47
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 498g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ48
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the FZ47 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and FZ47 (1/2.3") boast different sensor dimensions.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The E-PL3 was introduced 3 months later than the FZ47 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ47 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-PL3 scores vs the FZ47 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic FZ47

 E-PL3 FZ47 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ47 over the Olympus E-PL3

 FZ47 E-PL3 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ47

 E-PL3 FZ47 
ReleasedSeptember 2011July 2011Similar age
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 provides outside dimensions 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 FZ47 has proportions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 498 grams (1.10 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL3 versus the FZ47.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and FZ47 is 88 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements only by looking at specifications. The photograph here may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL3 and FZ47.

Plainly, both of these cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PL3 includes the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FZ47 Portrait photography information
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
38
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
has face detect autofocus
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography info
Panasonic FZ47 Street photography info
84
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
43
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than average in class (498 grams)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography info
Panasonic FZ47 Sports photography info
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
42
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
great battery life (400 CIPA)
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FZ47 Travel photography advice
44
missing Time Lapse function
low battery (300 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
51
great battery life (400 CIPA)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (498 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FZ47 Landscape photography info
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
43
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
great battery life (400 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
Vlogging with Panasonic FZ47
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic jack
27
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
heavier than average in class (498g)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic FZ47 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic FZ47
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FZ48
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-09-20 2011-07-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic VI Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313 grams (0.69 pounds) 498 grams (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 400 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $399 $379