Olympus PEN E-P3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3 — 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 · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3
39
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3 is the smaller and lighter carry option of these two 2011 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, measuring 108 x 67 x 32 mm against 122 x 69 x 34 mm for the Olympus PEN E-P3. The GF3 weighs 264 g while the E-P3 weighs 369 g, so the Panasonic is the easier body to slip into a small bag for everyday shooting. The two cameras share the Micro 4/3 lens mount, so both draw on the same native lens range. Both were announced in June 2011, weeks apart. | ||
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 | June 13, 2011 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 69 x 34 mm | 108 x 67 x 32 mm |
| Camera weight | 369 g | 264 g |
| Optics | 45/100 | 38/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Olympus PEN E-P3 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds, because it offers in-body stabilisation while the GF3 does not. That means the Olympus can steady any lens you mount, including small primes without their own stabilisation. The E-P3 also offers 35 autofocus points against 23 on the GF3 for off-centre subjects. Its ISO settings reach 12800 against the GF3's 6400, while the Panasonic's ISO 160 minimum suits wide apertures in daylight. Resolution is nearly the same at 12.3 MP against 12.1 MP, and both top out at 1/4000 second. Neither body has a viewfinder, so framing happens on the rear screen. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 12.1 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 | 4000 x 3000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
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 | 3.2 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 | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFull HD is the shared maximum resolution, enough for handheld clips of family scenes or walking-pace action. Both record in AVCHD with a 60 fps maximum frame rate, which keeps quick motion smooth on playback. Neither camera offers a built-in intervalometer, so timelapse projects need an external timer on either body. | ||
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 |
| Features | 52/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-P3's rear screen shows finer detail, with 614000 dots on its OLED panel against 460000 on the GF3's TFT LCD, which helps when checking focus on the display. Both screens are 3-inch touch panels, so touch-to-focus works the same way on each. The E-P3 also supports an external flash, which matters for bounce lighting at indoor events, while the GF3 relies on its built-in flash alone. Both offer live view, and neither has GPS, Wi-Fi or weather sealing, so neither suits geotagging or wet-weather work. | ||
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 | No |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 BatteryBoth take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so one card purchase covers either body. Neither charges over USB, and the battery packs differ, a BLS-5 in the E-P3 and a DMW-BLE9 in the GF3. The E-P3's battery is rated for 330 shots against 300 for the GF3 under their respective test conditions, a small edge for a longer day of shooting. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | DMW-BLE9 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
330 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus PEN E-P3 if you shoot handheld in dim interiors, want stabilisation with any Micro 4/3 lens, or need an external flash and more autofocus points for portraits and events. Its sharper, higher-resolution OLED screen also makes reviewing shots more pleasant.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3 when portability comes first: at 264 g and 108 mm wide, it is the smaller and lighter body for travel and everyday carry. Both share the Micro 4/3 mount, Full HD video and touch screens, so the E-P3's stabilisation, flash system and finer screen make it the stronger pick otherwise.