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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
54
Overall
50

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5 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 GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Older Model is Panasonic GF3
  • Successor is Panasonic GF6
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GF5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the GF5 (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL3 was manufactured 6 months before the GF5 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL3 grades vs the GF5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic GF5

 E-PL3 GF5 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Olympus E-PL3

 GF5 E-PL3 
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GF5

 E-PL3 GF5 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011April 2012Same generation
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL3 comes with outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Panasonic GF5 has specifications of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GF5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL3 against the GF5.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and GF5 is 88 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing a spec sheet. The visual below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and GF5.

Clearly, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution and you should expect comparable quality of files however you should always consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic GF5 Portrait photography info
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
55
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features focus via touch
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GF5 Sports photography highlights
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
low battery pack (300 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL3
Travel photography with Panasonic GF5
44
no Timelapse function
low battery pack (300 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
61
features focus via touch
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GF5 Landscape photography highlights
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
low battery pack (300 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
59
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
Vlogging with Panasonic GF5
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no external microphone socket
32
touchscreen functionality
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GF5
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-09-20 2012-04-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic VI Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.30 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
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 lbs) 267 grams (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 50
DXO Color Depth score 20.9 20.5
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 10.0
DXO Low light score 499 573
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 360 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $399 $600