Olympus E-3 vs Pentax E70
56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
48


94 Imaging
33 Features
11 Overall
24
Olympus E-3 vs Pentax E70 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
- Released February 2008
- Previous Model is Olympus E-1
- Successor is Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.4" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 175g - 94 x 61 x 26mm
- Introduced January 2009

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax E70 Overview
The following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-3 and Pentax E70, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the E70 (10MP) is relatively similar but the E-3 (Four Thirds) and E70 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

The E-3 was released 10 months before the E70 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax E70 being a Compact camera.
Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-3 matches up vs the E70 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax E70 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-3 & Pentax Optio E70. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-3 Gallery & Pentax E70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax E70
E-3 | E70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen size | 2.5" | ![]() | 2.4" | Bigger screen (+0.1") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 112k | Clearer screen (+118k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax E70 over the Olympus E-3
E70 | E-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2009 | ![]() | February 2008 | Newer by 10 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Pentax E70
E-3 | E70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Olympus E-3 vs Pentax E70 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera often, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-3 enjoys outside dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) and the Pentax E70 has proportions of 94mm x 61mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.0") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-3 and Pentax E70 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-3 against the E70.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and E70 is 56 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax E70 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specifications. The pic below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and E70.
To sum up, both of the cameras feature the identical MP albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-3 uses the bigger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh easier. The more aged E-3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax E70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax E70 Specifications
Olympus E-3 | Pentax Optio E70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus E-3 | Pentax Optio E70 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2008-02-20 | 2009-01-05 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 35-105mm (3.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 10cm |
Total lenses | 45 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inches | 2.4 inches |
Screen resolution | 230k dots | 112k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 4 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video data format | - | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 pounds) | 175g (0.39 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 94 x 61 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.0") |
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 | - | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $670 | $140 |