Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL7
56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
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86 Imaging
52 Features
81 Overall
63
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL7 Key Specs
(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
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-1
- Later Model is Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
- Launched September 2014
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL6
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL8
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Let's look more in depth at the Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL7, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are built by Olympus. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and E-PL7 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (Four Thirds).
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe E-3 was brought out 7 years before the E-PL7 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-3 scores against the E-PL7 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-3 & Olympus PEN E-PL7. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-3 Gallery & Olympus E-PL7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus E-PL7
| E-3 | E-PL7 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL7 over the Olympus E-3
| E-PL7 | E-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | September 2014 | February 2008 | More modern by 79 months | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 230k | Crisper screen (+807k dot) | |
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-PL7
| E-3 | E-PL7 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More accurate focusing | |||
| Selfie screen | Both good for selfies |
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL7 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-3 comes with outside measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL7 has sizing of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL7 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-3 against the E-PL7.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and E-PL7 is 56 and 86 respectively.
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL7 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by viewing technical specs. The image underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-3 and E-PL7.
As you can tell, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus E-PL7 to render extra detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL7 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-PL7 Specifications
| Olympus E-3 | Olympus PEN E-PL7 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Olympus |
| Model type | Olympus E-3 | Olympus PEN E-PL7 |
| Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Launched | 2008-02-20 | 2014-09-01 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | TruePic III | TruePic VII |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 81 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Number of lenses | 45 | 107 |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
| Display diagonal | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 230k dots | 1,037k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic (optional) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | - |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames/s | 8.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 13.00 m | no built-in flash |
| Flash modes | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | no built-in flash |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | - | H.264, Motion JPEG |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 890 gr (1.96 lb) | 357 gr (0.79 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 56 | 72 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 21.6 | 22.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.5 | 12.4 |
| DXO Low light rating | 571 | 873 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 350 images |
| Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | BLS-50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Retail pricing | $670 | $499 |