Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Olympus PEN E-P1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

55

"The GF2 sits nicely in your hand , and despite its reduced size is comfortable to hold."
dpreview.com | talking about the DMC-GF2's feel
"Superb fully-customisable quick menu"
dpreview.com | talking about the DMC-GF2's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Movie format
Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Touch screen
Touch screen
Less buttons
Startup delay
Almost no delay when powering up
1000 ms startup delay
3D
Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Movie continuous focus
Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Interchangeable lenses
Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
Olympus PEN E-P1

47

Runner-up

Olympus PEN E-P1

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-P1

Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Interchangeable lenses
Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from

differences

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-P1

Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Color depth Better color depth 21.4 bits vs 21.2 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.2 more bits of color
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 536 ISO vs 506 ISO
Help
The PEN E-P1 has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
Around 10% larger sensor
Lowest price Cheaper $184.49 vs $375.99
Help
The best price we've seen is $192 cheaper (2x less)
Olympus PEN E-P1 Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-P1

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GF2

Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Touch screen Has a touch screen Yes vs No
Help
Fewer buttons to worry about and direct interaction with camera menus
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 460k dots vs 230k dots
Help
2x higher resolution screen
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The DMC-GF2's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Size Smaller 113x68x33 mm vs 121x70x36 mm
Help
Around 20% smaller
Weight Lighter 310 g vs 355 g
Help
More than 10% lighter
Thickness Thinner 1.3" vs 1.4"
Help
Around 10% thinner
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GF2
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus PEN E-P1
47 vs 55
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2.

advice

Need help deciding?

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0
votes
by Jodan this month
Panasonic DMC-GF2 vs Panasonic DMC-GH1

I am only looking for a Camera to take video. And since both are hackable for even higher bitrat...

0
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by trixie-bird last week
Olympus PEN E-PL1 vs Panasonic DMC-GF2

Intermediate.  Want to take pictures or people and landscapes.

1
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by pandiba last month
Nikon J1 vs Panasonic DMC-GF2

I'm a beginner. I want to upgrade my point & shoot but nothing as intense (or bulky) as a full-f...

0
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by Segun-Gomes last month
Panasonic DMC-GF3 vs Panasonic DMC-GF2

Semi Pro, Fast response, Manual setting and fast and sharp autofocus will be handy

One person recommends the Panasonic DMC-GF3:

"There is not really a big difference between these cameras, I would go with the GF3, it is newer. ..."

0
votes
by Avi-Schmerer last month
Panasonic DMC-GF3 vs Panasonic DMC-GF2

I'm a beginner that has used nothing but point-and-shoots. I want to get a better camera that is r...

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
PEN E-P1:$184.49
DMC-GF2:$375.99
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
60 seconds
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
PEN E-P1:12.2 MP
DMC-GF2:12 MP
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
Missing that film look
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
PEN E-P1:10.4 EV
DMC-GF2:10.3 EV
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
PEN E-P1:230k dots
DMC-GF2:460k dots
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
PEN E-P1:55.0
DMC-GF2:54.0

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$731 - $964 with 14-42mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$485 with 14-42mm lens

Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens

High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Olympus PEN E-P2

Olympus PEN E-P2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$480 with 17mm lens

Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Olympus PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$500 with 14-42mm lens

Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Panorama Creates panoramas in-camera
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive

Olympus PEN E-P1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-P3

Olympus PEN E-P3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$849 - $900 with 17mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Color depth Worse color depth
Overall image quality Worse image quality

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Pro digicam

$339

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Battery life Significantly longer battery life
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Startup delay Much more startup delay
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Touch screen No touch screen
Lens availability Fewer lenses available
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,125 with 14-45mm lens

Battery life Significantly longer battery life
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Touch screen No touch screen

appearance

Olympus PEN E-P1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Olympus PEN E-P1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Olympus PEN E-P1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

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