Olympus PEN E-PM1 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-PM1
42
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G3
42
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralBoth the Olympus PEN E-PM1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 are 2011 mirrorless cameras sharing the same Micro 4/3 mount, so any lens made for it fits either body. The E-PM1 is the lighter body at 265 g, 71 g lighter than the G3's 336 g, and smaller at 110 x 64 x 34 mm. The G3's larger 115 x 84 x 47 mm body adds an electronic viewfinder. | ||
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 34 mm | 115 x 84 x 47 mm |
| Camera weight | 265 g | 336 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 42/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe G3 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, offering 16 MP against the E-PM1's 12.3 MP. Its built-in electronic viewfinder, with 1,440,000 dots, steadies framing in bright sunlight where the E-PM1 forces arm's-length LCD shooting. The E-PM1 answers with in-body stabilisation, which steadies any mounted lens for handheld shots at slower shutter speeds. The E-PM1 also supports faster continuous shooting at 5.5 fps versus 4 fps for the G3, with 35 autofocus points against 23 for tracking a moving subject. Both use the same Micro Four Thirds sensor format and share a 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed. The E-PM1 offers a standard ISO ceiling of 12800 against the G3's 6400. | ||
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 ComparisonVideoThe G3 is the easier camera to edit with, because it records Motion JPEG alongside AVCHD, a simpler format many editing programs open without conversion. The E-PM1 records AVCHD only. Their maximums match, with Full HD resolution on both and a 60 fps top frame rate. | ||
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 G3's touch screen and tilting LCD make it the friendlier camera for tripod portraits and overhead compositions, letting you tilt the screen, tap to focus and shoot from waist level. The E-PM1's fixed screen demands a direct line of sight for such angles. The G3 also carries a built-in flash for quick indoor fill light, while the E-PM1 lacks one and must use an external flash. Their 3-inch, 460,000-dot screens show the same level of detail. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi or weather sealing. | ||
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. |
No |  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 | 21/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-PM1's BLS-5 battery carries a 330-shot rating under its test conditions, 60 shots higher than the G3's DMW-BLD10 at 270. Storage choices match, with each camera taking SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so your cards and reader work with either body. Neither charges over USB, so both depend on their own chargers between sessions. | ||
| 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. |
330 shots1505000 | 270 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 if you crop wildlife or landscape shots, want eye-level framing on sunny streets, or value touch focus and a tilting screen for tripod and handheld low-angle work. Choose the Olympus PEN E-PM1 for a lighter travel kit, stabilised handheld shooting with any Micro 4/3 lens in dim interiors, or faster bursts of moving children and pets. Both share the same lens mount, so your lens investment carries over either way.