Nikon D700 vs Olympus E-3
54 Imaging
56 Features
56 Overall
56


56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
48
Nikon D700 vs Olympus E-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Nikon F Mount
- 1074g - 147 x 123 x 77mm
- Announced October 2008
- Successor is Nikon D800E
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
- Announced February 2008
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-1
- Newer Model is Olympus E-5

Nikon D700 vs Olympus E-3 Overview
Below is a in depth assessment of the Nikon D700 versus Olympus E-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the D700 (12MP) and the E-3 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the D700 (Full frame) and E-3 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor dimensions.

The D700 was introduced 8 months later than the E-3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the D700 scores vs the E-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D700 vs Olympus E-3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D700 and Olympus E-3. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon D700 Gallery and Olympus E-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D700 over the Olympus E-3
D700 | E-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | October 2008 | ![]() | February 2008 | More recent by 8 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+692k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Nikon D700
E-3 | D700 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D700 and Olympus E-3
D700 | E-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Nikon D700 vs Olympus E-3 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to lug around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D700 features external dimensions of 147mm x 123mm x 77mm (5.8" x 4.8" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 1074 grams (2.37 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-3 has proportions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon D700 versus Olympus E-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the D700 compared to the E-3.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D700 and E-3 is 54 and 56 respectively.

Nikon D700 vs Olympus E-3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by checking specifications. The graphic underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the D700 and E-3.
To sum up, each of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The D700 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Nikon D700 will give more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent D700 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon D700 vs Olympus E-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D700 vs Olympus E-3 Specifications
Nikon D700 | Olympus E-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Olympus |
Model | Nikon D700 | Olympus E-3 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2008-10-07 | 2008-02-20 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed | TruePic III |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 864.0mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 |
Maximum resolution | 4256 x 2832 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 51 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 309 | 45 |
Crop factor | 1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen sizing | 3" | 2.5" |
Resolution of screen | 922k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.72x | 0.58x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | - | 13.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Maximum 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 | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 1074 grams (2.37 lbs) | 890 grams (1.96 lbs) |
Dimensions | 147 x 123 x 77mm (5.8" x 4.8" x 3.0") | 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 80 | 56 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.5 | 21.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.2 | 10.5 |
DXO Low light score | 2303 | 571 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 1000 photos | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | EN-EL3e | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I) | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $2,700 | $670 |