Panasonic GH1 vs Olympus E-PL3

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Panasonic GH1 vs Olympus E-PL3

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.1 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GH1.

4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL3 Review.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH2
Compare GH1 vs GH2
Compare Panasonic GH2 vs Olympus E-PL3

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Differences

Panasonic GH1 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GH1 test data on DxO Mark E-PL3 test data on DxO Mark

772 vs 499 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GH1 test data on DxO Mark E-PL3 test data on DxO Mark

11.6 vs 10.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
More telephoto lens reach
280 mm vs 84 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Panasonic GH1

Less expensive
$700 vs $1500 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Faster JPEG shooting
5.3 fps vs 2.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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 GH1

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Review Excerpt

Read our Panasonic GH1 Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Olympus E-PL3.
Read our Olympus E-PL3 Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic GH1

Panasonic G2

$1315
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

$800
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic G2

Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic G2

$700
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

$800
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic G2

Compared to Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GH1

Panasonic GH2

$1315
4/3

Higher effective ISO
Thinner

$1500
4/3

Fast startup
More pixels

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic GH2

Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GH2

$700
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1500
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GH2

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GH1

Olympus E-PM1

$1315
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

$500
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs 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

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GH1

Olympus E-M5

$1315
4/3

More telephoto lens reach
Internal flash

$900
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-M5

$700
4/3

Less expensive
Lighter weight

$900
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Touchscreen

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GH1

Panasonic GF5

$1315
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

$450
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs 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

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