Olympus E-3 vs Pentax MX-1
56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
48
84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46
Olympus E-3 vs Pentax MX-1 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
- Succeeded the Olympus E-1
- Updated by Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
- Revealed July 2013
Olympus E-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview
On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax MX-1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is relatively close but the E-3 (Four Thirds) and MX-1 (1/1.7") offer different sensor sizes.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe E-3 was launched 6 years before the MX-1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.
Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-3 grades against the MX-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Olympus E-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-3 & Pentax MX-1. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-3 Gallery & Pentax MX-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax MX-1
E-3 | MX-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen | |
Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus E-3
MX-1 | E-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2013 | February 2008 | Fresher by 65 months | |
Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
Screen resolution | 920k | 230k | Sharper screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Pentax MX-1
E-3 | MX-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Very precise focusing | |||
Touch screen | Neither features Touch screen |
Olympus E-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-3 enjoys outside measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) and the Pentax MX-1 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax MX-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-3 against the MX-1.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-3 and MX-1 is 56 and 84 respectively.
Olympus E-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing specifications. The visual underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and MX-1.
To sum up, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-3 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax MX-1 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The older E-3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.
Olympus E-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications
Olympus E-3 | Pentax MX-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus E-3 | Pentax MX-1 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2008-02-20 | 2013-07-01 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic III | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/1.7" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 41.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/1.8-2.5 |
Macro focus range | - | 1cm |
Available lenses | 45 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 4.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD with AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 | 890 gr (1.96 lbs) | 391 gr (0.86 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 56 | 49 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.6 | 20.4 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.5 | 11.3 |
DXO Low light score | 571 | 208 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 290 pictures |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | D-Li-106 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $670 | $400 |