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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
56
Imaging
45
Features
56
Overall
49
Olympus E-3 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Revealed February 2008
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-1
  • Updated by Olympus E-5
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released December 2009
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-x, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the K-x (12MP) is relatively similar but the E-3 (Four Thirds) and K-x (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-3 was launched 22 months prior to the K-x which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-3 matches up against the K-x with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

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

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

 K-x E-3 
ReleasedDecember 2009February 2008Newer by 22 months
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

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

 E-3 K-x 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-3 features physical measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) and the Pentax K-x has sizing of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-x in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-3 against the K-x.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-3 and K-x is 56 and 69 respectively.

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

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specifications. The picture below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and K-x.

To sum up, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-3 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-x will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged E-3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

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

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

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-x Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-x Portrait photography details
57
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography info
Pentax K-x Street photography info
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-x Sports photography advice
58
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (1,900 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-x Travel photography advice
55
environment sealing
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
54
better than average battery life (1,900 per charge)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
56
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (1,900 per charge)
screen is small (2.7")
low MP (12MP)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-x as a Vlogging camera
18
lack of video recording
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-x
 Olympus E-3Pentax K-x
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-3 Pentax K-x
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2008-02-20 2009-12-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 16.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890g (1.96 lbs) 580g (1.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 72
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 12.5
DXO Low light score 571 811
Other
Battery life - 1900 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $670 $600