Olympus PEN E-P3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus PEN E-P3
45
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G3
42
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-P3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 are both 2011 mirrorless cameras built around the Micro Four Thirds format, so every Micro 4/3 lens fits both bodies. Your lens collection transfers if you switch, and both cameras draw on the same native lens range. Neither body has weather sealing or GPS. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 30, 2011 | May 12, 2011 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 69 x 34 mm | 115 x 84 x 47 mm |
| Camera weight | 369 g | 336 g |
| Optics | 45/100 | 42/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Lumix DMC G3 gives you more room to crop and enlarge, with 16 MP against 12.3 MP for the E-P3. That extra resolution suits distant subjects such as birds or stage performers where you often trim heavily. It also shoots at 4 fps in burst mode versus 3 fps for the Olympus, a modest edge for sequences like a child running toward you. The E-P3 answers with in-body stabilisation, which steadies handheld shots in low light with any lens mounted. The G3 has no in-body stabilisation. The Olympus also offers 35 autofocus points against 23 and a higher maximum ISO of 12800 versus 6400. Both cap the shutter at 1/4000 second. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4032 x 3024 | 4592 x 3448 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | Live MOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 4 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic VI | Venus Engine FHD |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 16030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
20030200 | 16030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
350300 | 230300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | No |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor casual family movies, both cameras record at a maximum resolution of Full HD, support frame rates up to 60 fps, and write AVCHD files. Neither camera has a built-in intervalometer, so timelapse requires an external timer. One editing choice favours the G3: it also records Motion JPEG, so you have a second format if AVCHD files do not suit your workflow. The E-P3 records AVCHD only. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
| Features | 52/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Lumix DMC G3 is the better camera for framing awkward angles, because its rear screen flips out while the E-P3 screen is fixed. Tilting the display lets you shoot low flower beds or raised overhead concert views without guessing the composition. The E-P3 counters with a sharper screen for reviewing focus. Its OLED display offers 614000 dots against 460000 for the G3's TFT LCD panel. Both cameras offer a 3-inch touch screen and live view. The bigger difference for composition is the viewfinder: the G3 has a built-in electronic viewfinder with 1440000 dots, while the E-P3 has none. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | OLED | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
6140001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-P3 holds the practical advantage for longer outings, with a rated 330 shots per charge against 270 for the G3. Both use a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot, so cards are interchangeable between the two. Neither camera supports USB charging, so each battery goes into its own charger, the BLS-5 for Olympus and the DMW-BLD10 for Panasonic. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | DMW-BLD10 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
330 shots1505000 | 270 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 if you shoot distant, croppable subjects and want a viewfinder and a tilting screen for varied angles. Its 16 MP sensor, built-in electronic viewfinder and flip-out display cover landscape, travel and handheld everyday photography.
Choose the Olympus PEN E-P3 if you shoot handheld in dim interiors, streets at dusk or static subjects where stabilisation matters more than resolution. Its in-body stabilisation works with every Micro 4/3 lens, and the extra rated battery capacity suits longer days out. Weigh the E-P3's lack of any viewfinder if you often compose in bright sunlight.