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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic GF2
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF5
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic GF3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and GF3 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

Photography Glossary

The E-PL9 was unveiled 6 years after the GF3 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-PL9 matches up against the GF3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic GF3

 E-PL9 GF3 
IntroducedFebruary 2018August 2011Newer by 80 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus E-PL9

 GF3 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GF3

 E-PL9 GF3 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL9 features exterior measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Panasonic GF3 has measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic GF3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PL9 versus the GF3.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL9 and GF3 is 85 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by going through technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL9 and GF3.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus E-PL9 to show extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The fresher E-PL9 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
55
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
70
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
features focus by touch
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GF3 Sports photography highlights
69
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect autofocus
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography features
Panasonic GF3 Travel photography features
77
has bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
58
features focus by touch
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (300 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography highlights
80
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging info
Panasonic GF3 Vlogging info
35
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
32
screen is touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2018-02-08 2011-08-11
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 160
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 8.6 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest 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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 380 grams (0.84 pounds) 264 grams (0.58 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 50
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 459
Other
Battery life 350 photos 300 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $599 $360