Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3
56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
48
![Olympus E-3 front Olympus E-3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-E-3/Olympus-E-3-front.jpg)
![Olympus PEN E-P3 front Olympus PEN E-P3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-E-P3/Olympus-E-P3-front.jpg)
86 Imaging
48 Features
60 Overall
52
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 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
- Successor is Olympus E-5
(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
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
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).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-3 and Olympus PEN E-P3. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-3 Gallery and Olympus E-P3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus E-P3
E-3 | E-P3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-3
E-P3 | E-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2011 | ![]() | February 2008 | More recent by 42 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 614k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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 Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
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 Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-P3-size-comparison.jpg)
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 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-P3-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
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 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-E-3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-P3-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-P3-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications
Olympus E-3 | Olympus 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 |