• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Panasonic GF3

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    84 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Panasonic GF3 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Lighter weight
    320g vs 482g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.31 vs 0.95 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Small, solid, light body; Good image quality; 14mm kit lens is of good quality and very small; Very fast autofocus; Excellent selection of lenses; Very fun to shoot with.

  • Small controls; Touchscreen interface might not be for everyone; Weak flash; Does not work with most accessories from previous models; JPEG image quality falls short of third-generation competition.

  • Read our Panasonic GF3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P2

Panasonic GF3
Olympus E-P2
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Olympus E-P2

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Olympus E-PL1
Panasonic GF2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF2
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF2

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-PL2

Panasonic GF3
Olympus E-PL2
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Olympus E-PL2

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GF3
Olympus E-P3
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Olympus E-PL1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Lighter weight

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF3X

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