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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(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
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-5
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Announced April 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-3
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Here is a extensive overview of the Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and K-3 II (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The E-3 was unveiled 8 years earlier than the K-3 II and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-3 scores versus the K-3 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax K-3 II

 E-3 K-3 II 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Olympus E-3

 K-3 II E-3 
AnnouncedApril 2015February 2008Fresher by 87 months
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-3 II

 E-3 K-3 II 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-3 enjoys 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) and the Pentax K-3 II has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-3 II 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 vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-3 compared to the K-3 II.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-3 and K-3 II is 56 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading through specifications. The visual underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-3 and K-3 II.

Plainly, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-3 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-3 II will give you extra detail having an extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots more aggressively. The older E-3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography advice
56
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (10MP)
79
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography features
Pentax K-3 II Street photography features
69
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proof
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography advice
57
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography information
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography information
55
environment proof
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
56
weather proof
MP count good (24 megapixels)
low battery (720 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-3
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3 II
56
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
megapixel count low (10MP)
no Timelapse mode
78
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
low battery (720 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-3
Vlogging with Pentax K-3 II
18
can't record video
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-3 II
 Olympus E-3Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-3 Pentax K-3 II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2008-02-20 2015-04-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 8.3 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890g (1.96 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
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 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 13.6
DXO Low light score 571 1106
Other
Battery life - 720 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 Two
Cost at launch $670 $829