Olympus E-3 vs Olympus PEN-F
56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
48


84 Imaging
59 Features
79 Overall
67
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus PEN-F Key Specs
(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
- Launched February 2008
- Superseded the Olympus E-1
- Newer Model is Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
- Announced January 2016

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus PEN-F Overview
Below, we will be comparing the Olympus E-3 and Olympus PEN-F, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and PEN-F (20MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

The E-3 was revealed 9 years earlier than the PEN-F which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the E-3 matches up against the PEN-F in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus PEN-F Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-3 and Olympus PEN-F. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-3 Gallery and Olympus PEN-F Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus PEN-F
E-3 | PEN-F |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Olympus E-3
PEN-F | E-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2016 | ![]() | February 2008 | More modern by 96 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+807k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Olympus PEN-F
E-3 | PEN-F | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Both are selfie friendly |
Olympus E-3 vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-3 comes with exterior 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 PEN-F has dimensions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") having a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-3 and Olympus PEN-F in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-3 against the PEN-F.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and PEN-F is 56 and 84 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and PEN-F.
Clearly, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should expect the Olympus PEN-F to offer greater detail because of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-3 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications
Olympus E-3 | Olympus PEN-F | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Olympus |
Model | Olympus E-3 | Olympus PEN-F |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
Launched | 2008-02-20 | 2016-01-27 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III | TruePic VII |
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 | 20 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 5184 x 3888 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 81 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 45 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated |
Screen diagonal | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 1,037 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,360 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | 0.62x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Highest silent shutter speed | - | 1/16000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain) |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 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 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 890 gr (1.96 lb) | 427 gr (0.94 lb) |
Dimensions | 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 56 | 74 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.6 | 23.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.5 | 12.4 |
DXO Low light score | 571 | 894 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 photos |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | BLN-1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $670 | $1,000 |