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Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-P3

Portability
75
Imaging
43
Features
20
Overall
33
Epson R-D1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-P3 Key Specs

Epson R-D1
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 620g - 142 x 89 x 40mm
  • Announced March 2004
  • Newer Model is Epson R-D1x
Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-P5
Photography Glossary

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-P3 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-P3, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Epson and Olympus. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the R-D1 (6MP) and E-P3 (12MP) and the R-D1 (APS-C) and E-P3 (Four Thirds) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The R-D1 was brought out 8 years before the E-P3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the R-D1 scores against the E-P3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Epson R-D1 over the Olympus E-P3

 R-D1 E-P3 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Epson R-D1

 E-P3 R-D1 
AnnouncedAugust 2011March 2004Newer by 90 months
Screen dimensions3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution614k235kCrisper screen (+379k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-P3

 R-D1 E-P3 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-P3 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Epson R-D1 enjoys outer dimensions of 142mm x 89mm x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") along with a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) and the Olympus E-P3 has specifications of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs).

Examine the Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-P3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the R-D1 compared to the E-P3.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-P3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the R-D1 and E-P3 is 75 and 86 respectively.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-P3 top view buttons comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-P3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by looking through technical specs. The picture here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the R-D1 and E-P3.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The R-D1 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-P3 will provide you with greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged R-D1 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-P3 sensor size comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Epson R-D1
Portrait photography with Olympus E-P3
49
focusing manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (6MP)
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Epson R-D1
Street photography with Olympus E-P3
55
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (620 grams)
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features touch to focus
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Epson R-D1
Sports photography with Olympus E-P3
29
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesn't have liveview
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6MP)
no phase detect autofocus
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Epson R-D1 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-P3 Travel photography factors
38
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (620g)
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
60
features touch to focus
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Epson R-D1 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography factors
46
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2")
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Epson R-D1 Vlogging advice
Olympus E-P3 Vlogging advice
9
no video recording
35
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
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Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-P3
 Epson R-D1Olympus PEN E-P3
General Information
Make Epson Olympus
Model Epson R-D1 Olympus PEN E-P3
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2004-03-11 2011-08-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - TruePic VI
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.6mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 369.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Full resolution 3008 x 2000 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 59 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 235 thousand dots 614 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 200)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 620g (1.37 pounds) 369g (0.81 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 89 x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 51
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.1
DXO Low light score not tested 536
Other
Battery life - 330 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer No Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $1,709 $0