Leica TL vs Olympus E-PL3
85 Imaging
60 Features
58 Overall
59


88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Leica TL vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12500
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Leica L Mount
- 384g - 134 x 69 x 33mm
- Released November 2016
- Renewed by Leica TL2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
- Launched September 2011
- Previous Model is Olympus E-PL2

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Leica TL and Olympus E-PL3, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Leica and Olympus. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the TL (16MP) and E-PL3 (12MP) and the TL (APS-C) and E-PL3 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor sizing.

The TL was brought out 5 years after the E-PL3 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the TL grades against the E-PL3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PL3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica TL & Olympus PEN E-PL3. The entire galleries are provided at Leica TL Gallery & Olympus E-PL3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica TL over the Olympus E-PL3
TL | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2016 | ![]() | September 2011 | Newer by 63 months |
Display size | 3.7" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.7") |
Display resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+770k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Leica TL
E-PL3 | TL | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Leica TL and Olympus E-PL3
TL | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Leica TL vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica TL offers physical measurements of 134mm x 69mm x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") with a weight of 384 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL3 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).
Check the Leica TL and Olympus E-PL3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the TL vs the E-PL3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the TL and E-PL3 is 85 and 88 respectively.

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison
Often, its difficult to picture the gap in sensor dimensions only by looking through specifications. The image below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the TL and E-PL3.
To sum up, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The TL because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Leica TL will render more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more modern TL should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications
Leica TL | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Leica | Olympus |
Model type | Leica TL | Olympus PEN E-PL3 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2016-11-08 | 2011-09-20 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Truepic VI |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.7mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 370.5mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 |
Maximum resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4032 x 3024 |
Maximum native ISO | 12500 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Leica L | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 4 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3.7" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 1,230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | - | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.50 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, off, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 384 grams (0.85 pounds) | 313 grams (0.69 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 134 x 69 x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 52 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 499 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 400 photographs | 300 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BP-DC13 | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $1,009 | $399 |