Olympus PEN E-PL3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2 — 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 · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2
47
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-PL3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2 are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, so lenses mount on either body. The E-PL3 from 2011 is the smaller and lighter body at 110 x 64 x 37 mm and 313 g. The GH2 from 2010 measures 124 x 90 x 76 mm and weighs 442 g, 129 g heavier. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 30, 2011 | September 21, 2010 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 110 x 64 x 37 mm | 124 x 90 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 313 g | 442 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GH2 gives you more room to crop or make large prints, with 16.05 megapixels against 12.3 on the E-PL3. The E-PL3 is the stronger pick for moving subjects, shooting at 5.5 frames per second versus 3 fps, and it spreads focus across 35 autofocus points rather than 23. Both cameras offer in-body stabilisation, which steadies handheld shooting in fading light, and share a top shutter speed of 1/4000 second. The GH2 adds an electronic viewfinder with 1,533,600 dots, while the E-PL3 must be framed on its rear screen. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 16.05 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 | 4608 x 3456 |
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 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 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 153360009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras top out at Full HD recording, and 60 fps is the maximum frame rate on each. For editing, the GH2 records in both MOV and AVCHD, with MOV the easier format for desktop software, while the E-PL3 offers AVCHD only. The GH2's electronic viewfinder and articulating screen make it the more practical body for handheld filming, since you can monitor the frame at eye level. Neither camera offers a built-in intervalometer for timelapse, so both need external control for that work. | ||
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 | MOV, AVCHD |
| Features | 36/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesA built-in flash and a touch screen make the GH2 the better-equipped body for everyday shooting, with fill light on demand and touch control over menus and focus. The E-PL3 offers neither, though both cameras accept external flash units, so accessory lighting remains open on either. Composition options are shared, because each camera has a 3-inch, 460,000-dot screen that tilts for low and high angles, with live view for framing. Neither body includes GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so wireless transfer and geotagging need accessories 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 | 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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery ratings favour the GH2, at 330 shots per charge against 300 for the E-PL3, a 10 per cent advantage under their test conditions. The E-PL3 uses a BLS-5 battery and the GH2 a DMW-BLC12PP, so spare batteries are model-specific. Storage is the same on both, with each camera taking a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card and no second slot for overflow or backup. Neither camera charges over USB, so both rely on a dedicated charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | DMW-BLC12PP |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
300 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2 if you shoot with your eye to the camera, film regularly, or want crop latitude. Its electronic viewfinder, MOV recording, 16.05 megapixels, built-in flash and touch screen all support those jobs directly.
Choose the Olympus PEN E-PL3 for travel, where its 313 g body and smaller dimensions take up less room in a bag. Its 5.5 fps burst and 35 autofocus points make it the better tool for children, pets and other fast-moving subjects. Both use the Micro Four Thirds mount, so your lenses carry across either choice.