Olympus PEN E-PL3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GH1 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus PEN E-PL3
42
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GH1
42
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-PL3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC GH1 are both mirrorless cameras built around the Micro Four Thirds format, so the same Micro 4/3 lenses attach to either body. The E-PL3 arrived in 2011, two years after the 2009 GH1. The E-PL3 measures 110 x 64 x 37 mm and 313 g, while the GH1 is 124 x 90 x 45 mm and 385 g, a 72 g difference. The smaller E-PL3 body takes less room in a bag for everyday carrying. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 30, 2011 | March 3, 2009 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 110 x 64 x 37 mm | 124 x 90 x 45 mm |
| Camera weight | 313 g | 385 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsEye-level shooting is the GH1's strength: it has an electronic viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots, while the E-PL3 has none and must be framed on its rear screen. For moving subjects the E-PL3 leads at 5.5 fps against 3 fps, with 35 autofocus points against 23. The E-PL3 also reaches a higher standard ISO ceiling of 12800 against the GH1's 3200, giving more setting headroom in dim interiors. Their CMOS resolutions are nearly equal at 12.3 and 12.1 megapixels, so neither offers extra cropping room. | ||
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 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 HD |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 32003003280000 |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 32003003280000 |
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 | Yes |
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 editing flexibility, the GH1 records in MP4 as well as AVCHD, while the E-PL3 uses AVCHD alone. Both cameras cap at Full HD resolution and up to 60 fps, so neither offers 4K output. Neither camera has a built-in interval timer for timelapse, so time-lapse sequences require an external remote or manual triggering on either body. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | No |
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 MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch) |
| Features | 36/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GH1 is the more convenient camera for indoor snapshots: its built-in flash is always in the body, whereas the E-PL3 has none and needs an external unit when light drops. Both support external flash, so a shoe-mounted flash works on either. The rear displays match: each has a 3 inch LCD with 460,000 dots that flips out for waist-level or tripod framing, plus live view. Neither offers a touchscreen, wireless connectivity, GPS or weather sealing, so geotagging and harsh weather call for accessories. | ||
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 | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-PL3 supports SDXC cards alongside SD and SDHC, while the GH1 takes SD and SDHC only, so the E-PL3 accepts the higher-capacity cards useful for a full day of AVCHD clips. Both cameras have a single card slot, so neither offers in-camera backup. Battery ratings are close under their test conditions: 320 shots for the GH1's DMW-BLB13 against 300 for the E-PL3's BLS-5. Neither camera charges over USB, so each needs its own mains charger between shoots. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | DMW-BLB13 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
300 shots1505000 | 320 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the E-PL3 for a camera that travels light and keeps up with motion: its 5.5 fps burst, 35 autofocus points and 12800 ISO ceiling suit street scenes, children playing and dim restaurants.
Choose the GH1 if eye-level composition matters most: its 1,440,000-dot electronic viewfinder and built-in flash simplify portraits and indoor family shots without extra gear, and MP4 recording eases some editing setups.