Nikon D50 vs Olympus E-3
64 Imaging
44 Features
39 Overall
42


56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
48
Nikon D50 vs Olympus E-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 1600
- No Video
- Nikon F Mount
- 620g - 133 x 102 x 76mm
- Revealed July 2005
- Replacement is Nikon D40X
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
- Introduced February 2008
- Succeeded the Olympus E-1
- New Model is Olympus E-5

Nikon D50 vs Olympus E-3 Overview
In this write-up, we are comparing the Nikon D50 vs Olympus E-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the D50 (6MP) and E-3 (10MP) and the D50 (APS-C) and E-3 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor size.

The D50 was revealed 3 years prior to the E-3 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the D50 matches up vs the E-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon D50 vs Olympus E-3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D50 and Olympus E-3. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon D50 Gallery and Olympus E-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D50 over the Olympus E-3
D50 | E-3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Nikon D50
E-3 | D50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2008 | ![]() | July 2005 | Fresher by 31 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display sizing | 2.5" | ![]() | 2" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 130k | Sharper display (+100k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D50 and Olympus E-3
D50 | E-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Nikon D50 vs Olympus E-3 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D50 comes with external measurements of 133mm x 102mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-3 has measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs).
See the Nikon D50 vs Olympus E-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the D50 vs the E-3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D50 and E-3 is 64 and 56 respectively.

Nikon D50 vs Olympus E-3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizing purely by checking technical specs. The visual here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the D50 and E-3.
As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The D50 using its larger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Olympus E-3 will give more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The older D50 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D50 vs Olympus E-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D50 vs Olympus E-3 Specifications
Nikon D50 | Olympus E-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Olympus |
Model type | Nikon D50 | Olympus E-3 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2005-07-23 | 2008-02-20 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | TruePic III |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.5mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 367.4mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 |
Full resolution | 3008 x 2000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 309 | 45 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display size | 2 inches | 2.5 inches |
Display resolution | 130k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.5x | 0.58x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 11.00 m | 13.00 m |
Flash settings | Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/500 seconds | 1/250 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Max video resolution | None | None |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 620 grams (1.37 pounds) | 890 grams (1.96 pounds) |
Dimensions | 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") | 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 55 | 56 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.9 | 21.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.8 | 10.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 560 | 571 |
Other | ||
Battery ID | EN-EL3 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $499 | $670 |