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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1 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
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic TS1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 189g - 98 x 63 x 23mm
  • Announced January 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FT1
  • Updated by Panasonic TS2
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the TS1 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and TS1 (1/2.3") possess different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL3 was released 2 years later than the TS1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic TS1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-PL3 matches up vs the TS1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic TS1

 E-PL3 TS1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011January 2009More recent by 33 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS1 over the Olympus E-PL3

 TS1 E-PL3 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic TS1

 E-PL3 TS1 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL3 features outside 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) and the Panasonic TS1 has specifications of 98mm x 63mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 0.9") with a weight of 189 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the TS1.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and TS1 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements only by reading through specs. The photograph below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and TS1.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact MP albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PL3 comes with the bigger sensor which will make getting shallow DOF easier. The younger E-PL3 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL3
Portrait photography with Panasonic TS1
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
20
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic TS1 as a Street photography camera
84
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL3
Sports photography with Panasonic TS1
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
29
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Panasonic TS1 Travel photography advice
44
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
61
weather sealing
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL3
Landscape photography with Panasonic TS1
61
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
35
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
Vlogging with Panasonic TS1
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
28
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic TS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic TS1
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-FT1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Announced 2011-09-20 2009-01-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
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 mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-128mm (4.6x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 313g (0.69 pounds) 189g (0.42 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 98 x 63 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 0.9")
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 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $399 $380