Olympus PEN E-PL3 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-PL3
42
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 Olympus PEN E-PL3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3 are both 2011 mirrorless cameras built around the Micro Four Thirds format, so any Micro 4/3 lens you already own fits either body. Neither has a viewfinder, so both rely on their 3-inch screens for framing. The Panasonic is the lighter carry at 264 g, against 313 g for the E-PL3, a 49 g difference. The E-PL3 measures 110 x 64 x 37 mm and the GF3 108 x 67 x 32 mm. | ||
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 | 110 x 64 x 37 mm | 108 x 67 x 32 mm |
| Camera weight | 313 g | 264 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 38/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-PL3 is the stronger pick for photographing moving subjects and shooting handheld in dim light. It offers in-body stabilisation, which the GF3 lacks, so unstabilised lenses stay usable at slower shutter speeds. Its 5.5 fps burst outpaces the GF3's 3.2 fps, giving you more chances to catch a decisive moment at a birthday party or street scene. The E-PL3 also has more autofocus points, 35 versus 23, which helps when your subject sits away from the centre of the frame. Its standard ISO range reaches 12800 rather than 6400. Resolution barely differs, 12.3 MP against 12.1 MP, so neither body gains a real cropping advantage, and both use CMOS sensors behind the same 1/4000-second shutter ceiling. | ||
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. |
5.5 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 ComparisonVideoEveryday video is a shared strength, so you can shoot family clips with either body. Both record AVCHD video, with a maximum resolution of Full HD and a maximum frame rate of 60 fps. Neither has a built-in intervalometer, so timelapse work needs external triggering on both. | ||
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 | 36/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFlash handling takes opposite routes. The GF3 has a built-in flash, ready for a quick fill light on faces indoors or against a backlit portrait. The E-PL3 has none built in but supports an external flash for stronger, more directional lighting. Screen control splits them too. The GF3 offers a touch screen for tapping to focus, while the E-PL3's screen tilts for waist-level and overhead framing but is not touch-sensitive. Both share a 3-inch display with 460,000 dots, and neither has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, so wireless transfer and geotagging are unavailable on both. | ||
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 | 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 | 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 | No |
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 BatteryOne card collection serves either camera, because both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot. Both carry a 300-shot battery rating, and neither charges over USB. The batteries differ, a BLS-5 in the E-PL3 and a DMW-BLE9 in the GF3, so a spare for one will not power the other. | ||
| 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. |
300 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus PEN E-PL3 if you photograph movement or shoot handheld in low light. Its 5.5 fps burst, 35 autofocus points and in-body stabilisation directly serve school sports, indoor family gatherings and evening street photography. The tilting screen and external flash support add flexibility for candid shots and stronger lighting.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3 if light carry and simple operation matter most. Its built-in flash and touch screen for tap-to-focus suit travel, casual snapshots and handing the camera to a less experienced photographer. It is also the lighter of the two bodies.