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Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Olympus E-300 front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs

Olympus E-300
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Expand to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
  • Launched January 2005
  • Alternative Name is EVOLT E-300
  • Successor is Olympus E-330
Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Revealed March 2021
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Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and K-3 III (26MP) and the E-300 (Four Thirds) and K-3 III (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-300 was released 17 years earlier than the K-3 III and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-300 scores vs the K-3 III when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Pentax K-3 III

 E-300 K-3 III 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Olympus E-300

 K-3 III E-300 
RevealedMarch 2021January 2005Fresher by 197 months
Screen sizing3.2"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.4")
Screen resolution1620k134kClearer screen (+1486k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Pentax K-3 III

 E-300 K-3 III 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-300 comes with physical measurements of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 III has proportions of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

See the Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E-300 against the K-3 III.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-300 and K-3 III is 67 and 58 respectively.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to see the gap between sensor sizing only by checking specifications. The visual underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-300 and K-3 III.

To sum up, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-300 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-3 III will give greater detail as a result of its extra 18MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older E-300 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Portrait photography camera
48
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
sensor resolution not great (8 megapixels)
82
has manual focus
MP count high (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Street photography camera
51
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
low max ISO (400)
70
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
weather proof
great high ISO (1,600,000)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-300 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-3 III Sports photography highlights
37
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count high (26 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect AF
low battery pack (800 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-300
Travel photography with Pentax K-3 III
45
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
weather proof
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
MP count high (26 megapixels)
low battery pack (800 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-300 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography highlights
43
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (1.8 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
low max ISO (400)
no Time Lapse mode
80
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count high (26 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (1,600,000)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
low battery pack (800 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-300
Vlogging with Pentax K-3 III
9
can't shoot video
35
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic support
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-300 and Pentax K-3 III
 Olympus E-300Pentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-300 Pentax K-3 Mark III
Other name EVOLT E-300 -
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2005-01-10 2021-03-31
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 26 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 3264 x 2448 6192 x 4128
Highest native ISO 400 1600000
Highest enhanced ISO 1600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 3 101
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 156
Crop factor 2.1 1.6
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 1.8 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 134k dots 1,620k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 624 gr (1.38 pounds) 820 gr (1.81 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 85 x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 800 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Card slots Single Two
Cost at release $800 $1,999