Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5
56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
48
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88 Imaging
52 Features
72 Overall
60
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs
(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- Superseded the Olympus E-1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
(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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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-3 and Olympus PEN E-PL5. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-3 Gallery and Olympus E-PL5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus E-PL5
E-3 | E-PL5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus E-3
E-PL5 | E-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2012 | ![]() | February 2008 | Newer by 55 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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.
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.
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Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and E-PL5 is 56 and 88 respectively.
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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.
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications
Olympus E-3 | Olympus 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 |