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Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650 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
  • Introduced February 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-5
Sony W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
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Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650 Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and W650 (16MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and W650 (1/2.3") use different sensor size.

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The E-3 was unveiled 4 years prior to the W650 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony W650 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-3 grades versus the W650 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Sony W650

 E-3 W650 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Olympus E-3

 W650 E-3 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2008Fresher by 47 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Sony W650

 E-3 W650 
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-3 provides physical 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 W650 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-3 compared to the W650.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-3 and W650 is 56 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and W650.

As you can see, both the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-3 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony W650 will offer more detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older E-3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W650 as a Portrait photography camera
56
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
34
MP count decent (16MP)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography advice
Sony W650 Street photography advice
69
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (124 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography details
Sony W650 Sports photography details
57
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography factors
Sony W650 Travel photography factors
55
environment sealing
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
69
lighter than others in class (124 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W650 as a Landscape photography camera
56
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
small screen (2.5 inches)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
43
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging factors
Sony W650 Vlogging factors
18
can't record video
33
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (124 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
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Olympus E-3 vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Sony W650
 Olympus E-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2008-02-20 2012-01-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
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
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 3.70 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 890 grams (1.96 lb) 124 grams (0.27 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 - 220 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $670 $140