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Nikon D800E vs Olympus E-3

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800E front
 
Olympus E-3 front
Portability
56
Imaging
45
Features
56
Overall
49

Nikon D800E vs Olympus E-3 Key Specs

Nikon D800E
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Older Model is Nikon D700
Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Revealed February 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-5
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Nikon D800E vs Olympus E-3 Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Nikon D800E versus Olympus E-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the D800E (36MP) and E-3 (10MP) and the D800E (Full frame) and E-3 (Four Thirds) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The D800E was brought out 4 years later than the E-3 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summary of how the D800E matches up versus the E-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Olympus E-3

 D800E E-3 
RevealedJune 2012February 2008Fresher by 53 months
Screen dimension3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Nikon D800E

 E-3 D800E 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D800E and Olympus E-3

 D800E E-3 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Nikon D800E vs Olympus E-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D800E comes with external dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) while the Olympus E-3 has specifications of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D800E versus Olympus E-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the D800E versus the E-3.

Nikon D800E vs Olympus E-3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D800E and E-3 is 54 and 56 respectively.

Nikon D800E vs Olympus E-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800E vs Olympus E-3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking specs. The photograph below will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the D800E and E-3.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D800E because of its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon D800E will give you more detail having its extra 26MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more modern D800E provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D800E vs Olympus E-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D800E vs Olympus E-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800E vs Olympus E-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800E Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-3 Portrait photography highlights
83
focusing manually
resolution is high (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
57
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low resolution (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800E Street photography highlights
Olympus E-3 Street photography highlights
60
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D800E Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-3 Sports photography highlights
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
resolution is high (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
58
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800E as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-3 as a Travel photography camera
66
environment proofing
resolution is high (36 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not feature selfie friendly display
55
environment proofing
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
no Timelapse mode
low resolution (10 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800E Landscape photography information
Olympus E-3 Landscape photography information
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
resolution is high (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no low pass filter
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
56
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is small (2.5")
low resolution (10MP)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800E as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-3 as a Vlogging camera
30
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
18
can't shoot video
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Nikon D800E vs Olympus E-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800E and Olympus E-3
 Nikon D800EOlympus E-3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon D800E Olympus E-3
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-06-11 2008-02-20
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 3 TruePic III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 4:3
Maximum resolution 7360 x 4912 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 51 11
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 309 45
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.58x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 900 grams (1.98 lb) 890 grams (1.96 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 96 56
DXO Color Depth rating 25.6 21.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.3 10.5
DXO Low light rating 2979 571
Other
Battery life 900 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL15 -
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Card slots Two One
Retail price $2,389 $670