Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
59 Imaging
60 Features
89 Overall
71
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 Key Specs
(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
(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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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).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe 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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Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Panasonic GH5 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | January 2017 |  | September 2011 | Newer by 64 months |
| Display type | Fully Articulated |  | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
| Display dimensions | 3.2" |  | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
| Display resolution | 1620k |  | 460k | Crisper 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.
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.
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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH5 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Panasonic 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 |