Clicky

Olympus E-3 vs Sony A6500

Portability
56
Imaging
45
Features
56
Overall
49
Olympus E-3 front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
68
Features
85
Overall
74

Olympus E-3 vs Sony A6500 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
  • Introduced February 2008
  • Old Model is Olympus E-1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-5
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Launched October 2016
  • Superseded the Sony A6300
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Olympus E-3 vs Sony A6500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-3 and Sony A6500, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and A6500 (24MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and A6500 (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

The E-3 was released 9 years before the A6500 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-3 scores against the A6500 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Sony A6500

 E-3 A6500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Olympus E-3

 A6500 E-3 
LaunchedOctober 2016February 2008Fresher by 105 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Sony A6500

 E-3 A6500 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Olympus E-3 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-3 enjoys outside dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Sony A6500 has measurements of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-3 and Sony A6500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the E-3 versus the A6500.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-3 and A6500 is 56 and 81 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and A6500.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-3 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A6500 will give you extra detail as a result of its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The older E-3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography details
Sony A6500 Portrait photography details
57
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
80
focusing manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW files
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography factors
Sony A6500 Street photography factors
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
85
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
environment sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography information
Sony A6500 Sports photography information
58
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
77
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
low battery power (350 shots)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Travel photography camera
55
weather sealing
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
74
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
good resolution (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery power (350 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Landscape photography camera
56
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is small (2.5 inch)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
low battery power (350 CIPA)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A6500 as a Vlogging camera
18
can't record video
39
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Olympus E-3 vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Sony A6500
 Olympus E-3Sony Alpha a6500
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-3 Sony Alpha a6500
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2008-02-20 2016-10-06
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Max boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 425
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 45 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890 gr (1.96 lb) 453 gr (1.00 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 85
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 24.5
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 13.7
DXO Low light score 571 1405
Other
Battery life - 350 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $670 $1,298