Clicky

Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
61
Imaging
80
Features
92
Overall
84
Nikon Z7 Mark II front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs

Nikon Z7 II
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Introduced October 2020
  • Succeeded the Nikon Z7
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
  • Launched September 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Nikon Z7 II and Olympus E-PL3, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the Z7 II (46MP) and E-PL3 (12MP) and the Z7 II (Full frame) and E-PL3 (Four Thirds) have different sensor measurements.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The Z7 II was introduced 9 years after the E-PL3 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z7 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the Z7 II scores against the E-PL3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z7 II over the Olympus E-PL3

 Z7 II E-PL3 
LaunchedOctober 2020September 2011Newer by 111 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k460kClearer display (+1640k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Nikon Z7 II

 E-PL3 Z7 II 

Common features in the Nikon Z7 II and Olympus E-PL3

 Z7 II E-PL3 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z7 II offers outer measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL3 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Z7 II and Olympus E-PL3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the Z7 II vs the E-PL3.

Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z7 II and E-PL3 is 61 and 88 respectively.

Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The image below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the Z7 II and E-PL3.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Z7 II with its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Nikon Z7 II will provide extra detail using its extra 34 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The more modern Z7 II provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Portrait photography features
Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography features
88
has manual focus
resolution is fantastic (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Street photography features
Olympus E-PL3 Street photography features
79
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch focus
environment proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
84
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Sports photography advice
Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography advice
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is fantastic (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
72
environment proofing
has bluetooth
comes with touch focus
resolution is fantastic (46 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
44
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (300 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z7 II as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Landscape photography camera
88
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is fantastic (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z7 II
Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
36
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z7 II and Olympus E-PL3
 Nikon Z7 Mark IIOlympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Z7 Mark II Olympus PEN E-PL3
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2020-10-14 2011-09-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Truepic VI
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 8256 x 5504 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 64 200
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 493 35
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 15 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 2,100 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 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, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 705 grams (1.55 lb) 313 grams (0.69 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 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 420 pictures 300 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type CFexpress (Type B), XQD, SD (UHS-II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 One
Pricing at release $2,997 $399