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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax KP

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax KP 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
  • Revealed February 2008
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-1
  • Updated by Olympus E-5
Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Launched January 2017
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax KP Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax KP, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and KP (24MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and KP (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The E-3 was introduced 10 years earlier than the KP which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-3 scores versus the KP with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax KP

 E-3 KP 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Olympus E-3

 KP E-3 
LaunchedJanuary 2017February 2008Newer by 108 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Pentax KP

 E-3 KP 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-3 comes with external dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Pentax KP has measurements of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") having a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

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

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-3 against the KP.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax KP size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and KP is 56 and 61 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out specs. The picture below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and KP.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-3 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax KP will provide extra detail using its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged E-3 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax KP Portrait photography advice
56
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
80
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax KP as a Street photography camera
69
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proof
76
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
above average high ISO (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography info
Pentax KP Sports photography info
57
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
quiet mode (1/24,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
low battery power (390 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-3
Travel photography with Pentax KP
55
environment proof
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
61
environment sealing
good megapixels (24MP)
built-in flash
low battery power (390 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax KP Landscape photography factors
56
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proof
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
low battery power (390 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax KP as a Vlogging camera
18
can't shoot video
34
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Pentax KP
 Olympus E-3Pentax KP
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-3 Pentax KP
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-02-20 2017-01-26
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III PRIME IV
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 819200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.63x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/24000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 890 grams (1.96 pounds) 703 grams (1.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 390 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $670 $747