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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1 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 Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Launched February 2008
  • Replaced the Olympus E-1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-5
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL1s
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

The following is a thorough comparison of the Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is fairly close and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-3 was released 3 years before the E-PL1 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-3 grades versus the E-PL1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-3 E-PL1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-3

 E-PL1 E-3 
ReleasedMay 2010February 2008Newer by 27 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-PL1

 E-3 E-PL1 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-3 provides external dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1 has specifications of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the E-3 compared to the E-PL1.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and E-PL1 is 56 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by looking through technical specs. The image below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and E-PL1.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Olympus E-PL1 to render extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged E-3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-3
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1
56
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low MP (10MP)
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography information
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography information
69
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proof
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography factors
57
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (5.0 fps)
low MP (10 megapixels)
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography information
Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography information
55
environment proof
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-3
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
56
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
low MP (10 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging factors
18
can't record video
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
does not offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus E-3Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-3 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2008-02-20 2010-05-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890 gr (1.96 lb) 334 gr (0.74 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 54
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 21.5
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 10.1
DXO Low light score 571 487
Other
Battery life - 290 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Retail cost $670 $288