Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3
56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
48


59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
- Announced February 2008
- Superseded the Olympus E-1
- Successor is Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Introduced April 2014
- Renewed by Pentax K-3 II

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 Overview
Here, we are looking at the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

The E-3 was revealed 7 years prior to the K-3 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-3 scores against the K-3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-3. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-3 Gallery and Pentax K-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax K-3
E-3 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-3
K-3 | E-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2014 | ![]() | February 2008 | Fresher by 74 months |
Display size | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.7") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+807k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-3
E-3 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-3 comes with outer dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax K-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-3 compared to the K-3.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and K-3 is 56 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and K-3.
As you can see, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-3 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-3 will deliver more detail because of its extra 14MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older E-3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications
Olympus E-3 | Pentax K-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus E-3 | Pentax K-3 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2008-02-20 | 2014-04-10 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic III | Prime III |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 6016 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 51200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 27 |
Cross focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 45 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5" | 3.2" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 1,037 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0fps | 8.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 890 grams (1.96 lb) | 800 grams (1.76 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 56 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.6 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.5 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light score | 571 | 1216 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 560 shots |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Two |
Retail price | $670 | $639 |