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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 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 Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Introduced February 2008
  • Superseded the Olympus E-1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-5
Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Launched September 2012
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and E-PL5 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-3 was launched 5 years earlier than the E-PL5 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-3 grades against the E-PL5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus E-PL5

 E-3 E-PL5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus E-3

 E-PL5 E-3 
LaunchedSeptember 2012February 2008Newer by 55 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-PL5

 E-3 E-PL5 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-3 features outside dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL5 has sizing of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the E-3 vs the E-PL5.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and E-PL5 is 56 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching specs. The picture underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-3 and E-PL5.

All in all, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Olympus E-PL5 to provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-3
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL5
56
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (10MP)
71
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography info
Olympus E-PL5 Street photography info
69
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
85
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
has focus by touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography highlights
57
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography features
Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography features
55
weather proof
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
75
has focus by touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography details
56
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen is small (2.5 inch)
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
74
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging highlights
18
no video
78
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lack of microphone port
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-PL5
 Olympus E-3Olympus PEN E-PL5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-3 Olympus PEN E-PL5
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2008-02-20 2012-09-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
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
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890 gr (1.96 pounds) 325 gr (0.72 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 72
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 12.3
DXO Low light score 571 889
Other
Battery life - 360 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $670 $400