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Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Released October 2019
Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL2
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Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

Below is a detailed comparison of the Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-PL3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and E-PL3 (12MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and E-PL3 (Four Thirds) use different sensor measurements.

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The Z50 was manufactured 8 years later than the E-PL3 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the Z50 scores versus the E-PL3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Olympus E-PL3

 Z50 E-PL3 
IntroducedOctober 2019September 2011More recent by 99 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Nikon Z50

 E-PL3 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-PL3

 Z50 E-PL3 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 has got physical measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL3 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-PL3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the Z50 versus the E-PL3.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and E-PL3 is 74 and 88 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements simply by checking technical specs. The photograph below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and E-PL3.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The Z50 due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Nikon Z50 will resolve extra detail due to its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher Z50 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
80
has manual focus
good MP (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography details
Olympus E-PL3 Street photography details
73
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
features touch focus
environment proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (397g)
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Olympus E-PL3
75
good MP (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery life (300 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z50
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL3
77
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
features touch focus
good MP (21MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
heavier than competitors in class (397 grams)
44
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery life (300 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography features
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
good MP (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
61
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (300 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z50
Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
71
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
has face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic support
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (397 grams)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone socket
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Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-PL3
 Nikon Z50Olympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Z50 Olympus PEN E-PL3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2019-10-10 2011-09-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Truepic VI
Sensor type BSI-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 21 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 209 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 15 107
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 grams (0.88 pounds) 313 grams (0.69 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 52
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.3
DXO Low light score not tested 499
Other
Battery life 320 images 300 images
Form of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 BLS-5
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $857 $399