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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Efina

Portability
56
Imaging
45
Features
56
Overall
49
Olympus E-3 front
 
Pentax Efina front
Portability
97
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Efina 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
  • Released February 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-5
Pentax Efina
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 91g - 87 x 54 x 21mm
  • Introduced June 2013
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Efina Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax Efina, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and Efina (14MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and Efina (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

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The E-3 was revealed 6 years prior to the Efina which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Efina being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-3 scores vs the Efina with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax Efina

 E-3 Efina 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax Efina over the Olympus E-3

 Efina E-3 
IntroducedJune 2013February 2008More modern by 64 months

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Pentax Efina

 E-3 Efina 
Screen dimensions2.5"2.5"Equal screen size
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Efina Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-3 provides physical dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Pentax Efina has specifications of 87mm x 54mm x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8") with a weight of 91 grams (0.20 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax Efina in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-3 compared to the Efina.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Efina size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and Efina is 56 and 97 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Efina top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Efina Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by going over specs. The pic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-3 and Efina.

All in all, the two cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-3 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax Efina will offer extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged E-3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Efina sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Efina Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Efina Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-3
Portrait photography with Pentax Efina
57
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
resolution not great (10MP)
34
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography info
Pentax Efina Street photography info
70
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
64
built in image stabilization (Digital)
lighter than competition (91 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax Efina Sports photography highlights
58
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
resolution not great (10MP)
35
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
low max shutter speed (1/1,400s)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Efina as a Travel photography camera
55
weather proof
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
69
lighter than competition (91g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Efina Landscape photography advice
56
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
small screen (2.5 inch)
resolution not great (10MP)
missing Time Lapse function
38
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-3
Vlogging with Pentax Efina
18
no video recording
33
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (91g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Efina Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Pentax Efina
 Olympus E-3Pentax Efina
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-3 Pentax Efina
Type Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Released 2008-02-20 2013-06-03
Body design Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-6.3
Macro focusing distance - 20cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - QVGA TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 1/8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1400 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720, 640 x 480
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 890 grams (1.96 lbs) 91 grams (0.20 lbs)
Physical dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 87 x 54 x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 571 not tested
Other
Battery life - 200 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SC/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $670 $10