• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Panasonic GX1

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $950 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.3 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Panasonic GX1 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    703 vs 499 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • 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
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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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Buy the Olympus E-PL3

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Buy the Panasonic GX1

Review Excerpt

  • Appealing design; Good grip; Very good image quality; Fast autofocus; Built-in Level Gauge.

  • Small rear buttons; Below-average battery life; Weak flash; Orange and yellow can have greenish cast in JPEGs; Shutter-induced motion blur with 14-42mm X Vario kit lens.

  • Read our Panasonic GX1 Review

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 GX1
Olympus E-P3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX1 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 GX1
Olympus E-PM1
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GX1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic GF3X

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 GX1
Panasonic GF5
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic GF6
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GX1
Panasonic GF6
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic GF6

Compare Other Cameras?