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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Introduced February 2008
  • Superseded the Olympus E-1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-5
Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL3
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

Here is a complete review of the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-PL2, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both offered by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the E-PL2 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-3 was announced 4 years prior to the E-PL2 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-3 matches up vs the E-PL2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus E-PL2

 E-3 E-PL2 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus E-3

 E-PL2 E-3 
RevealedFebruary 2011February 2008Fresher by 36 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-PL2

 E-3 E-PL2 
Manual focus More precise focus
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-3 offers physical measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL2 has sizing of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-PL2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-3 against the E-PL2.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and E-PL2 is 56 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching technical specs. The visual underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and E-PL2.

As you can tell, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Olympus E-PL2 to result in more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos more aggressively. The older E-3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography details
Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography details
56
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low resolution (10MP)
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PL2 Street photography highlights
69
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proof
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography advice
57
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution (10MP)
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (280 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-3
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
55
environment proof
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution (10 megapixels)
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery (280 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-3
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL2
56
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proof
screen is small (2.5 inches)
low resolution (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (280 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
18
lack of video recording
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-PL2
 Olympus E-3Olympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-3 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2008-02-20 2011-02-11
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 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890g (1.96 lbs) 362g (0.80 lbs)
Physical dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 55
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 21.4
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 10.2
DXO Low light score 571 573
Other
Battery life - 280 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $670 $0