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Olympus E-3 vs Sony WX1

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Olympus E-3 vs Sony WX1 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 Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Announced February 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-1
  • New Model is Olympus E-5
Sony WX1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Introduced August 2009
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Olympus E-3 vs Sony WX1 Overview

Following is a detailed comparison of the Olympus E-3 and Sony WX1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the WX1 (10MP) is pretty close but the E-3 (Four Thirds) and WX1 (1/2.4") boast different sensor size.

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The E-3 was released 17 months before the WX1 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony WX1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-3 grades vs the WX1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Sony WX1

 E-3 WX1 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony WX1 over the Olympus E-3

 WX1 E-3 
IntroducedAugust 2009February 2008More modern by 17 months
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Sony WX1

 E-3 WX1 
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-3 vs Sony WX1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. 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) while the Sony WX1 has specifications of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") along with a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-3 and Sony WX1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-3 against the WX1.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony WX1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-3 and WX1 is 56 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony WX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Sony WX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizes merely by viewing specs. The pic here will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and WX1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with the identical MP albeit different sensor sizes. The E-3 features the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh easier. The more aged E-3 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-3 vs Sony WX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Sony WX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Sony WX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography highlights
Sony WX1 Portrait photography highlights
56
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10MP)
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography details
Sony WX1 Street photography details
69
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competition in class (149g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX1 as a Sports photography camera
57
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX1 as a Travel photography camera
55
environment proof
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
56
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (149g)
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX1 as a Landscape photography camera
56
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
31
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging information
Sony WX1 Vlogging information
18
can't shoot video
28
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
heavier than competition in class (149 grams)
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Olympus E-3 vs Sony WX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Sony WX1
 Olympus E-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
Category Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Announced 2008-02-20 2009-08-06
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest 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)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Mic support
Headphone support
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 890 gr (1.96 pounds) 149 gr (0.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $670 $149