Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-5
56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
48


58 Imaging
47 Features
76 Overall
58
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
- Launched February 2008
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-1
- Renewed by Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
- Revealed February 2011
- Replaced the Olympus E-3

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-5 Overview
Lets look a little more closely at the Olympus E-3 versus Olympus E-5, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are sold by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the E-5 (12MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

The E-3 was unveiled 3 years prior to the E-5 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-3 matches up against the E-5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-5 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-3 & Olympus E-5. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-3 Gallery & Olympus E-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus E-5
E-3 | E-5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Olympus E-3
E-5 | E-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2011 | ![]() | February 2008 | Fresher by 35 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-5
E-3 | E-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Both are selfie friendly | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-5 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-3 enjoys outer measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Olympus E-5 has sizing of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-3 versus Olympus E-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-3 and the E-5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and E-5 is 56 and 58 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-5 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be tough to see the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing technical specs. The visual underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and E-5.
As you can tell, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Olympus E-5 to offer you more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The older E-3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-5 Specifications
Olympus E-3 | Olympus E-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus E-3 | Olympus E-5 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2008-02-20 | 2011-02-03 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III | TruePic V+ |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4032 x 3024 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 45 | 45 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | - | HyperCrystal transmissive LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | 0.58x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m | 18.00 m (at ISO 200) |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 890g (1.96 lbs) | 800g (1.76 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 56 | 56 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.6 | 21.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.5 | 10.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 571 | 519 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 870 photographs |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | BLM-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 2 |
Retail cost | $670 | $1,700 |