Olympus PEN E-PM1 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-PM1
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-PM1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3 are both 2011 mirrorless cameras in the Micro Four Thirds format, pairing interchangeable lenses with bodies sized for a small bag. The two measure almost identically, 110 x 64 x 34 mm against 108 x 67 x 32 mm, and the weights sit one gram apart. | ||
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 34 mm | 108 x 67 x 32 mm |
| Camera weight | 265 g | 264 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 38/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-PM1 is the stronger choice for photographing moving subjects, with a 5.5 fps burst rate against 3.2 fps on the GF3. It also brings 35 autofocus points to the Panasonic's 23, giving you more placement options across the frame when tracking a child or pet. In-body stabilisation is the other useful Olympus advantage, letting you shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds with unstabilised lenses, something the GF3 cannot match. Framing happens on the rear screen either way, since neither camera offers a viewfinder. The shared Micro 4/3 mount lets any Micro Four Thirds lens fit either body, and resolution is practically tied at 12.3 MP against 12.1 MP. Both use CMOS sensors, and the shortest exposure on each is 1/4000 second. | ||
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 ComparisonVideoFor family clips and web footage, both cameras record Full HD video in AVCHD, with frame rates reaching 60 fps. Interval shooting needs an external trigger, since neither camera has built-in timelapse. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesThe GF3 is the friendlier camera for everyday grab-and-go shooting, because it has a built-in flash for fill light indoors and a touch screen for setting focus and controls directly on the display. The E-PM1 has neither, though it does support an external flash for bounce lighting and more power when you want it. These are practical, opposite trade-offs rather than a one-sided win. Screen quality is shared: both use a 3-inch display with 460,000 dots, and neither screen flips out for waist-level shots. Neither camera has GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing, so geotagging and wireless transfer need add-ons. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 BatteryBoth cameras take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so one card type serves either body and there is no second slot for backup recording. The E-PM1 rates 330 shots on its BLS-5 battery against 300 shots for the GF3's DMW-BLE9 under their test conditions. Neither charges over USB, so both need a separate charger. | ||
| 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. |
330 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For photographing children, pets or street action, choose the Olympus PEN E-PM1: its 5.5 fps burst, 35-point autofocus spread and in-body stabilisation all matter in real shooting. The stabilisation is especially valuable for handheld work in dim interiors with a compact prime. Its higher 12800 ISO ceiling also gives more setting room in low light, though the GF3's 160 base ISO favours bright-day wide-aperture work.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3 if your photography is casual and spontaneous, where its touch screen and built-in flash make quick indoor snapshots easier. Both share the same mount, sensor format and Full HD video, so you can start with either body and keep your lenses. For action and handheld low light, though, the E-PM1 is the better buy of these two 2011 cameras.