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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D 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 Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Announced February 2008
  • Replaced the Olympus E-1
  • New Model is Olympus E-5
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed December 2006
  • Renewed by Pentax K100D S
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and K100D (6MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and K100D (APS-C) use different sensor sizing.

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The E-3 was brought out 15 months after the K100D which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-3 grades vs the K100D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax K100D

 E-3 K100D 
RevealedFebruary 2008December 2006More modern by 15 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution230k210kCrisper screen (+20k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Olympus E-3

 K100D E-3 

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Pentax K100D

 E-3 K100D 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen dimension2.5"2.5"Identical screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-3 has physical measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Pentax K100D has dimensions of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the E-3 compared to the K100D.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and K100D is 56 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes purely by viewing a spec sheet. The image underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and K100D.

As you can see, both cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-3 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Olympus E-3 will result in more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more modern E-3 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography info
Pentax K100D Portrait photography info
56
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
51
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography info
Pentax K100D Street photography info
69
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment proof
58
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
more heavy than competition in class (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-3
Sports photography with Pentax K100D
57
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10MP)
47
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (6MP)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography information
Pentax K100D Travel photography information
55
environment proof
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
no Time Lapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
42
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (660g)
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-3
Landscape photography with Pentax K100D
56
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment proof
screen is small (2.5 inch)
MP count low (10MP)
no Time Lapse mode
52
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K100D Vlogging highlights
18
no video
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Pentax K100D
 Olympus E-3Pentax K100D
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-3 Pentax K100D
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2008-02-20 2006-12-03
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution None None
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890 grams (1.96 lbs) 660 grams (1.46 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 571 not tested
Other
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $670 $0