Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LX3

Following is a extensive assessment of the Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LX3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the E-PL5 (16MP) and LX3 (10MP) and the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and LX3 (1/1.63") use different sensor size.

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The E-PL5 was unveiled 3 years after the LX3 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-PL5 matches up against the LX3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL5 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery & Panasonic LX3 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you should factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL5 provides external measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LX3 has sizing of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LX3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL5 against the LX3.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL5 and LX3 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Usually, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The picture here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL5 and LX3.

As you have seen, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL5 with its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL5 will offer greater detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more recent E-PL5 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.