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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1s

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1s 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
  • Replaced the Olympus E-1
  • New Model is Olympus E-5
Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced November 2010
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL2
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus E-3 versus Olympus E-PL1s, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the E-PL1s (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the identical sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-3 was announced 3 years before the E-PL1s which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-3 grades versus the E-PL1s in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 E-3 E-PL1s 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Olympus E-3

 E-PL1s E-3 
IntroducedNovember 2010February 2008Newer by 33 months
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-PL1s

 E-3 E-PL1s 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-3 has got outside dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL1s has proportions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

See the Olympus E-3 versus Olympus E-PL1s in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the E-3 and the E-PL1s.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1s size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and E-PL1s is 56 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1s top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to picture the gap between sensor dimensions just by going over technical specs. The picture here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and E-PL1s.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Olympus E-PL1s to deliver more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1s sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography details
Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography details
56
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low MP (10MP)
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-3
Street photography with Olympus E-PL1s
69
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography factors
57
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (10 megapixels)
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography details
Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography details
55
weather proofing
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (10MP)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography highlights
56
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
small screen (2.5 inches)
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery life (290 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging highlights
18
no video recording
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-PL1s
 Olympus E-3Olympus PEN E-PL1s
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-3 Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2008-02-20 2010-11-16
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III Truepic V
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, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
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)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic 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 890 grams (1.96 lbs) 334 grams (0.74 lbs)
Physical 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 rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 571 not tested
Other
Battery life - 290 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-1
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 SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $670 $599