Clicky

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic TS3

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic TS3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic TS3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FT3
  • Previous Model is Panasonic TS2
  • New Model is Panasonic TS4
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic TS3 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic TS3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Waterproof by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and TS3 (12MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and TS3 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The E-PM2 was released 22 months after the TS3 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic TS3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-PM2 matches up against the TS3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic TS3

 E-PM2 TS3 
RevealedMay 2013August 2011Newer by 22 months
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Olympus E-PM2

 TS3 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic TS3

 E-PM2 TS3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic TS3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM2 features exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Panasonic TS3 has specifications of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic TS3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM2 compared to the TS3.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic TS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and TS3 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic TS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic TS3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing specs. The image here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and TS3.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-PM2 will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The younger E-PM2 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic TS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic TS3 as a Portrait photography camera
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Panasonic TS3
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
includes focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography factors
Panasonic TS3 Sports photography factors
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
has no phase detect autofocus
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery (310 per charge)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic TS3 as a Travel photography camera
66
includes focus by touch
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
63
better than average battery (310 per charge)
environment proofing
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic TS3 Landscape photography highlights
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
38
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
better than average battery (310 shots)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging features
Panasonic TS3 Vlogging features
36
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic TS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic TS3
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FT3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Introduced 2013-05-21 2011-08-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine FHD
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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-128mm (4.6x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT LCD
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 rate 8.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 5.60 m
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 synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269g (0.59 lb) 197g (0.43 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photos 310 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $448 $380