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Leica D-Lux Typ 109 vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
82
Imaging
51
Features
70
Overall
58
Leica D-Lux Typ 109 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs

Leica D-Lux Typ 109
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-75mm (F1.7-2.8) lens
  • 405g - 118 x 66 x 55mm
  • Launched September 2014
  • Other Name is Typ 109
Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Launched September 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
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Leica D-Lux Typ 109 vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Leica D-Lux Typ 109 versus Olympus E-PL3, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the D-Lux Typ 109 (13MP) and the E-PL3 (12MP) is relatively similar and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The D-Lux Typ 109 was unveiled 3 years after the E-PL3 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Leica D-Lux Typ 109 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the D-Lux Typ 109 scores versus the E-PL3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica D-Lux Typ 109 over the Olympus E-PL3

 D-Lux Typ 109 E-PL3 
LaunchedSeptember 2014September 2011Newer by 37 months
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Leica D-Lux Typ 109

 E-PL3 D-Lux Typ 109 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Leica D-Lux Typ 109 and Olympus E-PL3

 D-Lux Typ 109 E-PL3 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica D-Lux Typ 109 provides physical measurements of 118mm x 66mm x 55mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 2.2") accompanied by a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL3 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

See the Leica D-Lux Typ 109 versus Olympus E-PL3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the D-Lux Typ 109 compared to the E-PL3.

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D-Lux Typ 109 and E-PL3 is 82 and 88 respectively.

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over specs. The image underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D-Lux Typ 109 and E-PL3.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Leica D-Lux Typ 109 to offer you more detail having an extra 1MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer D-Lux Typ 109 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica D-Lux Typ 109
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL3
70
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (13MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 Street photography advice
Olympus E-PL3 Street photography advice
75
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
good high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
84
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 Sports photography details
Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography details
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (13MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
lacks phase detect auto focus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (300 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography factors
73
decent sensor resolution (13 megapixels)
really wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
44
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery (300 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica D-Lux Typ 109
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL3
73
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.7)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (13MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (300 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica D-Lux Typ 109 Vlogging features
Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging features
35
really wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.7)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone socket
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Leica D-Lux Typ 109 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica D-Lux Typ 109 and Olympus E-PL3
 Leica D-Lux Typ 109Olympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Olympus
Model Leica D-Lux Typ 109 Olympus PEN E-PL3
Alternative name Typ 109 -
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-09-23 2011-09-20
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Truepic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 13MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4112 x 3088 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 49 35
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 24-75mm (3.1x) -
Maximum aperture f/1.7-2.8 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Available lenses - 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,760k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (with included external flash at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 405 gr (0.89 pounds) 313 gr (0.69 pounds)
Dimensions 118 x 66 x 55mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 2.2") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 52
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.3
DXO Low light score not tested 499
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 300 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $1,095 $399