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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3 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
  • Released September 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and S3 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL3 was unveiled 9 months later than the S3 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-PL3 grades against the S3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic S3

 E-PL3 S3 
ReleasedSeptember 2011January 2011Fresher by 9 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus E-PL3

 S3 E-PL3 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic S3

 E-PL3 S3 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL3 provides exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL3 vs the S3.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and S3 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The photograph here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and S3.

As you can tell, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 using its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic S3 will offer greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The newer E-PL3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography features
Panasonic S3 Street photography features
84
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Sports photography highlights
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
35
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
44
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
68
lighter than competitors (117g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography highlights
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging info
Panasonic S3 Vlogging info
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing microphone socket
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic S3
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-09-20 2011-01-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic VI Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313g (0.69 lbs) 117g (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 250 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $399 $110