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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(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
  • Successor is Olympus E-5
Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-P2
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-P5
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-P3, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are produced by Olympus. The resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the E-P3 (12MP) is fairly close and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-3 was manufactured 4 years before the E-P3 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-3 matches up vs the E-P3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus E-P3

 E-3 E-P3 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-3

 E-P3 E-3 
LaunchedAugust 2011February 2008More recent by 42 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution614k230kClearer display (+384k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-P3

 E-3 E-P3 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-3 enjoys outer measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Olympus E-P3 has proportions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") having a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-P3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-3 against the E-P3.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and E-P3 is 56 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The photograph here should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and E-P3.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus E-P3 to result in more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The older E-3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-P3 as a Portrait photography camera
56
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography advice
Olympus E-P3 Street photography advice
69
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography information
Olympus E-P3 Sports photography information
57
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10MP)
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-3
Travel photography with Olympus E-P3
55
environment sealing
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
60
offers focus via touch
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-P3 as a Landscape photography camera
56
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-P3 Vlogging factors
18
can't shoot video
35
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-P3
 Olympus E-3Olympus PEN E-P3
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-3 Olympus PEN E-P3
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2008-02-20 2011-08-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 200)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 890g (1.96 lb) 369g (0.81 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 51
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 20.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 10.1
DXO Low light rating 571 536
Other
Battery life - 330 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $670 $0