• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Olympus E-PL7

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 24 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Olympus E-PL7 advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.7 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.7 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

  • Read our Panasonic GH3 Review

  • Excellent image quality for its class including very good ISO performance; Improved performance and ergonomics over the E-PL5; LCD tilts 180 degree downward for easier selfies; Upgraded 3-axis IS system.

  • No built-in flash (but a small add-on flash is included); No built-in EVF; Default colors somewhat muted; Somewhat quirky menu system.

  • Read our Olympus E-PL7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic G5
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic G5

Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic G5
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-PL5
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-PL7
Olympus E-PL5
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $329
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-PL5

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GF6
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic GF6
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GF6

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-PL7
Olympus E-M1
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic GH4
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GH4

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