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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF7

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 front
Portability
90
Imaging
53
Features
66
Overall
58

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF7 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
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic GF7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 266g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Replaced the Panasonic GF6
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF8
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF7 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GF7, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and GF7 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL3 was released 4 years prior to the GF7 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-PL3 scores versus the GF7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic GF7

 E-PL3 GF7 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF7 over the Olympus E-PL3

 GF7 E-PL3 
IntroducedFebruary 2015September 2011More recent by 41 months
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GF7

 E-PL3 GF7 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF7 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL3 offers external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF7 has dimensions of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 266 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GF7 in our brand 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 have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL3 against the GF7.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF7 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and GF7 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF7 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through specifications. The photograph here might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and GF7.

To sum up, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic GF7 to provide more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older E-PL3 will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF7 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
65
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography factors
Panasonic GF7 Street photography factors
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
80
screen tilts
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic GF7 Sports photography advice
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
51
max shutter speed is good (1/16,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.8 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (230 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL3
Travel photography with Panasonic GF7
44
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
70
includes focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
low battery life (230 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography information
Panasonic GF7 Landscape photography information
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
69
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (230 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GF7 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
33
touch screen
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic port
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GF7
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-09-20 2015-02-01
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic VI Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4592 x 3448
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 5.8fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, flash off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313 gr (0.69 lb) 266 gr (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 230 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $399 $308