Updated (November, 2011): Compare the Olympus PEN E-P3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Olympus PEN E-P2

47

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-P2

Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Interchangeable lenses
Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

40

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Battery life
Great battery life
400 shots
Interchangeable lenses
Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
Built-in flash
Built-in flash
External flash not needed

differences

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-P2

Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Color depth Better color depth 21.5 bits vs 21.2 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.3 more bits of color
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 56.0 vs 54.0
Help
Almost the same
Lowest price Significantly cheaper $479.95 vs $1,125.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $645 cheaper (2.3x less)
Olympus PEN E-P2 Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-P2

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GF1

Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 460k dots vs 230k dots
Help
2x higher resolution screen
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
Weight Slightly lighter 330 g vs 355 g
Help
Around 10% lighter
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GF1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P2
47 vs 40
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Olympus PEN E-P2.

advice

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similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
60 seconds
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
3,200 ISO
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
PEN E-P2:12.2 MP
DMC-GF1:12 MP
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
720p @ 30fps
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
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-P2:10.4 EV
DMC-GF1:10.3 EV
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
PEN E-P2:230k dots
DMC-GF1:460k dots
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
PEN E-P2:505 ISO
DMC-GF1:513 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Battery life Has a slightly shorter battery life
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Lens availability Slightly fewer lenses available
Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$485 with 14-42mm lens

Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Thickness Is thicker
Battery life Has a significantly shorter battery life
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Battery life Has a slightly shorter battery life
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$376 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Battery life Has a significantly shorter battery life
Olympus PEN E-P3

Olympus PEN E-P3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$849 - $900 with 17mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Battery life Has a slightly shorter battery life
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
Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker

Olympus PEN E-P2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-P1

Olympus PEN E-P1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$184 body only

$375 with 17mm lens

Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO
Lowest price Cheaper
Color depth Worse color depth
Olympus PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$500 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera
Color depth Worse color depth
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$589 - $600 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Color depth Worse color depth
Overall image quality Worse image quality

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Pro digicam

$339

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Startup delay Much more startup delay

appearance

Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

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