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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5

Portability
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
Portability
59 Imaging
60 Features
89 Overall
71

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 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
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic GH5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Announced January 2017
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GH4
  • Updated by Panasonic GH5 II
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GH5, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and GH5 (20MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL3 was unveiled 6 years before the GH5 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-PL3 scores against the GH5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic GH5

		

		

			
 E-PL3 GH5 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Olympus E-PL3

		

		

			
 GH5 E-PL3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017September 2011Newer by 64 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k460kCrisper display (+1160k dot)
Selfie screen  Take selfies
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GH5

		

		

			
 E-PL3 GH5 
Focus manually  Very accurate focus
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL3 offers outside dimensions 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 GH5 has dimensions of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") with a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GH5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL3 vs the GH5.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 size comparison
Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and GH5 is 88 and 59 respectively.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Generally, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The pic here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL3 and GH5.
Clearly, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic GH5 to result in extra detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.
	
			Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic GH5 Portrait photography info
60
 has manual focus
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 supports face detection autofocus
 delivers RAW files
 low megapixels (12MP)
76
 focusing manually
 megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 comes with face detect autofocus
 supports RAW files
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-PL3 Street photography details
Panasonic GH5 Street photography details
84
 screen tilts
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 delivers RAW files
74
 screen can move to multiple angles
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 supports RAW files
 offers focus via touch
 weather proof
 great high ISO (25,600)
Photography Glossary
Sports Comparison
Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography information
Panasonic GH5 Sports photography information
45
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 supports tracking autofocus
 slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
 low megapixels (12MP)
 low battery life (300 shots)
 no phase detect autofocus
68
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
 silent shutter (1/16,000s)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count decent (20MP)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 comes with tracking focus
 weather proof
 low battery pack (410 CIPA)
 has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL3
Travel photography with Panasonic GH5
44
 does not have Timelapse mode
 low battery life (300 shots)
 low megapixels (12 megapixels)
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
68
 weather proof
 connects via bluetooth
 offers focus via touch
 megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
 selfie friendly screen
 low battery pack (410 shots)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography features
Panasonic GH5 Landscape photography features
61
 has manual focus
 swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 nice screen size (3")
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 delivers RAW files
 low megapixels (12 megapixels)
 low battery life (300 per charge)
 does not have Timelapse mode
75
 focusing manually
 change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count decent (20MP)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 does not have anti aliasing filter
 great high ISO (25,600)
 supports RAW files
 weather proof
 2 card slots
 low battery pack (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison
 Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
 Panasonic GH5 as a Vlogging camera
34
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 supports face detection autofocus
 high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
 does not have external microphone socket
75
 selfie friendly screen
 touchscreen capability
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 comes with face detect autofocus
 high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
 includes microphone support
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic GH5
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-09-20 2017-01-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic VI Venus Engine
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 20MP
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW images    
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
Touch focus    
AF continuous    
Single AF    
Tracking AF    
Selective AF    
AF center weighted    
Multi area AF    
AF live view    
Face detection focusing    
Contract detection focusing    
Phase detection focusing    
Number of focus points 35 225
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 460k dots 1,620k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch functionality    
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.76x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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) 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support    
Headphone support    
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 313 grams (0.69 lbs) 725 grams (1.60 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 77
DXO Color Depth score 20.9 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 13.0
DXO Low light score 499 807
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 410 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots)
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots One Dual
Pricing at release $399 $1,298