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Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
84
Overall
75
Nikon Z30 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs

Nikon Z30
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 405g - 128 x 74 x 60mm
  • Revealed June 2022
Olympus E-PL3
(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
  • Announced September 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL2
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Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Nikon Z30 and Olympus E-PL3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the Z30 (21MP) and E-PL3 (12MP) and the Z30 (APS-C) and E-PL3 (Four Thirds) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The Z30 was revealed 10 years later than the E-PL3 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the Z30 matches up against the E-PL3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Olympus E-PL3

 Z30 E-PL3 
AnnouncedJune 2022September 2011More recent by 132 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Nikon Z30

 E-PL3 Z30 

Common features in the Nikon Z30 and Olympus E-PL3

 Z30 E-PL3 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display sizing3.00"3"Equivalent display sizing

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z30 has got external measurements of 128mm x 74mm x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") and a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL3 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Z30 and Olympus E-PL3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the Z30 vs the E-PL3.

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the Z30 and E-PL3 is 79 and 88 respectively.

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by seeing specs. The visual underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Z30 and E-PL3.

All in all, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The Z30 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Nikon Z30 will provide more detail because of its extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern Z30 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z30 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
81
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z30 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Street photography camera
75
screen articulates fully
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
includes touch focus
environment sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (405g)
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z30 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography highlights
76
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z30 Travel photography details
Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography details
78
environment sealing
has bluetooth
includes touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (405g)
44
no Timelapse function
not so great battery life (300 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z30 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography details
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.00 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z30 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging factors
73
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic port
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (405 grams)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no external microphone socket
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Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z30 and Olympus E-PL3
 Nikon Z30Olympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Z30 Olympus PEN E-PL3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2022-06-29 2011-09-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Truepic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 5568 x 3712 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 209 35
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 35 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3.00 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 405 gr (0.89 lbs) 313 gr (0.69 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 74 x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 330 images 300 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 BLS-5
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $650 $399