• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Panasonic G1 advantages over Olympus E-P3

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 19 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-P3 advantages over Panasonic G1

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Higher effective ISO
    536 vs 463 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 45 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.22 vs 0.37 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
  • 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 Panasonic G1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-P3

Review Excerpt

  • Extremely fast autofocus; Pop-up flash and AF-assist lamp; Full HD recording; wisely limited focus for touchscreen; excellent print quality results; removable grip.

  • Larger than some competitors (see E-PL3 if you prefer a smaller camera); strong noise suppression; touchscreen easily activated by mistake; list of options is overwhelming; shoulder strap D-rings are noisy.

  • Read our Olympus E-P3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P1

Panasonic G1
Olympus E-P1
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G1 vs Olympus E-P1

Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-P1
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash
  • $800
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-P1

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Panasonic G1
Olympus E-P2
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Panasonic G1 vs Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-P2
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-P2

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Panasonic G1
Olympus E-PL1
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G1 vs Olympus E-PL1

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

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Panasonic G1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G1 vs Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-PL2
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic G1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Panasonic G1 vs Olympus E-PL3

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

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3

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