Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3
79 Imaging
69 Features
84 Overall
75
88 Imaging
47 Features
52 Overall
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Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs
(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
(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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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.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe 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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Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Z30 & Olympus PEN E-PL3. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon Z30 Gallery & Olympus E-PL3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Olympus E-PL3
| Z30 | E-PL3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | June 2022 | September 2011 | More recent by 132 months | |
| Display type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating display | |
| Display resolution | 1040k | 460k | Crisper 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 sizing | 3.00" | 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.
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.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the Z30 and E-PL3 is 79 and 88 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications
| Nikon Z30 | Olympus 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 |