• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 20.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Panasonic FZ70

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    499 vs 171 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 118 mm
    Thinner
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    9 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ70 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-P3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-P3

Panasonic FZ70
Olympus E-P3
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ70 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic FZ70
Olympus E-PM1
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ70 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic GF5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5

Panasonic FZ70
Panasonic GF5
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ70 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Samsung WB2200F

Olympus E-PL3
Samsung WB2200F
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung WB2200F

Panasonic FZ70
Samsung WB2200F
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic FZ70 vs Samsung WB2200F

Compared to Olympus SP-100

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus SP-100
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-100

Panasonic FZ70
Olympus SP-100
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Panasonic FZ70 vs Olympus SP-100

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