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Olympus E-3 vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60

Olympus E-3 vs Sony RX100 II Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Launched February 2008
  • Old Model is Olympus E-1
  • Updated by Olympus E-5
Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Superseded the Sony RX100
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 III
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Olympus E-3 vs Sony RX100 II Overview

Lets look more closely at the Olympus E-3 versus Sony RX100 II, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and RX100 II (20MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and RX100 II (1") have totally different sensor size.

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The E-3 was announced 6 years before the RX100 II which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the E-3 matches up vs the RX100 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Sony RX100 II

 E-3 RX100 II 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Olympus E-3

 RX100 II E-3 
ReleasedJune 2013February 2008Newer by 65 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1229k230kSharper display (+999k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Sony RX100 II

 E-3 RX100 II 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus E-3 vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-3 features exterior dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Sony RX100 II has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-3 versus Sony RX100 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-3 vs the RX100 II.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and RX100 II is 56 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The image below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and RX100 II.

Clearly, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-3 having a larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony RX100 II will give you extra detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged E-3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography features
Sony RX100 II Portrait photography features
56
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low MP (10 megapixels)
70
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography info
Sony RX100 II Street photography info
69
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
85
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than average in class (281g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography information
Sony RX100 II Sports photography information
57
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (10 megapixels)
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
includes tracking focus
great battery pack (350 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography factors
Sony RX100 II Travel photography factors
55
environment sealing
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (10MP)
80
great battery pack (350 shots)
lighter than average in class (281 grams)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Landscape photography camera
56
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
screen is small (2.5 inches)
low MP (10MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
74
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW files
great battery pack (350 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging features
Sony RX100 II Vlogging features
18
no video shooting
37
reasonably wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (281g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus E-3 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Sony RX100 II
 Olympus E-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Type Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2008-02-20 2013-06-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Max aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890 grams (1.96 pounds) 281 grams (0.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 67
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 12.4
DXO Low light score 571 483
Other
Battery life - 350 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $670 $598