Olympus PEN E-PL3 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-PL3
42
SCORE
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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-PL3 is the more pocketable of these two 2011 mirrorless cameras, measuring 110 x 64 x 37 mm and weighing 313 g. The Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 is larger at 115 x 84 x 47 mm and 23 g heavier. Both cameras arrived the same year, announced on 30/06/2011 for the Olympus and 12/05/2011 for the Panasonic. | ||
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 | 110 x 64 x 37 mm | 115 x 84 x 47 mm |
| Camera weight | 313 g | 336 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 42/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and larger prints, with 16 MP against 12.3 MP on the E-PL3. Both use the Micro Four Thirds sensor format and the Micro 4/3 lens mount, so the same native lenses and focal ranges are available to either body. The E-PL3 is the stronger choice for handheld work and moving subjects. It has in-body stabilisation, which the G3 lacks, so every mounted lens is steadied, and its 5.5 fps burst outpaces the G3's 4 fps. Its 35 autofocus points outnumber the G3's 23, and it offers a higher maximum ISO of 12800 against 6400. The G3 in turn offers a 1,440,000-dot electronic viewfinder, which the E-PL3 lacks. Both max out 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. |
5.5 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 ComparisonVideoVideo resolution tops out at Full HD on both cameras, and both support frame rates up to 60 fps, enough to capture smooth motion. The useful difference is the working files: the G3 records AVCHD and Motion JPEG, while the E-PL3 records AVCHD only, giving the G3 a choice of two recording formats. Neither camera offers a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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 | 36/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 is the more convenient camera for everyday shooting, with a built-in flash for indoor light and a touchscreen for direct control. The E-PL3 has no built-in flash and no touchscreen. Both offer a tilting 3-inch screen with 460,000 dots for waist-level or overhead framing, along with live view and external flash support. Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, and neither is weather sealed. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  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 | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
4600001150001500000 | 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. |
 Yes | 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 | 16/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so either body uses the same cards. The Olympus PEN E-PL3 holds the edge in battery life, rated for 300 shots against 270 on the G3, a 10 percent higher rating under the standard test. Neither camera charges over USB, so each runs on its own battery, a BLS-5 for the Olympus and a DMW-BLD10 for the 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. |
300 shots1505000 | 270 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 if you want a self-contained camera for general photography and travel. Its electronic viewfinder allows eye-level shooting, the built-in flash handles indoor moments without extra gear, the touchscreen allows touch control, and the extra megapixels give more freedom to crop landscapes or distant wildlife. Its second recording format also adds flexibility for casual video.
Choose the Olympus PEN E-PL3 if you shoot handheld in dim interiors or at slow shutter speeds, because its in-body stabilisation steadies every lens you mount. It also suits fast-moving subjects better, with a 5.5 fps burst, more autofocus points and a higher ISO ceiling, and its 300-shot rating beats the G3's 270. Photographers who value stabilisation and portability over a viewfinder get the better tool here.