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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 front
Portability
87
Imaging
53
Features
64
Overall
57

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6 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
  • Announced September 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic GF6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 323g - 111 x 65 x 38mm
  • Released April 2013
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF5
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF7
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic GF6, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and GF6 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL3 was unveiled 18 months before the GF6 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-PL3 scores versus the GF6 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic GF6

 E-PL3 GF6 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF6 over the Olympus E-PL3

 GF6 E-PL3 
ReleasedApril 2013September 2011Newer by 18 months
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GF6

 E-PL3 GF6 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL3 has got outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF6 has measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 323 grams (0.71 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic GF6 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the GF6.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and GF6 is 88 and 87 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by checking out a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and GF6.

Clearly, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic GF6 to show extra detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic GF6 Portrait photography info
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
65
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL3
Street photography with Panasonic GF6
84
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
77
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
includes focus via touch
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GF6 Sports photography highlights
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
max fps low (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (300 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
51
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography info
Panasonic GF6 Travel photography info
44
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery power (300 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
69
includes focus via touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic GF6 Landscape photography factors
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (300 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
67
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
Vlogging with Panasonic GF6
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
32
built-in touchscreen
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GF6
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-09-20 2013-04-08
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 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4592 x 3448
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 160
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i PsF/30p in NTSC models, 50i PsF/25p on PAL), 1280 x 720p (60i PsF/30p in NTSC models, 50i PsF/25p on PAL), 640 x 480 (30/25fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313 gr (0.69 lb) 323 gr (0.71 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 111 x 65 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 54
DXO Color Depth score 20.9 20.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 10.6
DXO Low light score 499 622
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 340 pictures
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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $399 $326