Olympus FE-3010 vs Olympus PEN E-P3: A Hands-On Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When Olympus launched the FE-3010 ultracompact in 2009 and the PEN E-P3 mirrorless in 2011, the camera world was in very different places. One was a humble point-and-shoot aimed at casual shooters craving simplicity, while the other was a cutting-edge entry-level mirrorless that promised to democratize high-quality imaging and creative control.

Fast forward a decade-plus, and these two cameras offer a fascinating contrast in how camera tech and photographer expectations evolved. I’ve spent many hours side-by-side, testing these two Olympus models in a variety of shooting conditions and genres to help you - photography enthusiasts and pros alike - decide which camera could serve your needs, or even just to marvel at how far imaging gear has come.

Let’s dive into a hands-on, no-nonsense comparison that goes beyond spec sheets, informed by my extensive experience working with Olympus gear and thousands of cameras overall.

Putting Size and Ergonomics Under the Microscope

First impressions matter, and in the FE-3010 versus E-P3 battle, size and handling tell a story of very different philosophies. The Olympus FE-3010 is an ultracompact camera - small, light, and designed to slip easily into your pocket.

Measuring a mere 93 x 56 x 18 mm and weighing just 108 grams, the FE-3010 feels more like a digital candy bar than a professional tool. Its fixed, non-removable lens and fixed 2.7-inch, 230k-dot LCD screen speak to its casual nature. Meanwhile, the Olympus PEN E-P3 comes in at a chunkier 122 x 69 x 34 mm, tipping the scales at 369 grams - still very manageable, but decidedly more substantial.

The E-P3’s rangefinder-style mirrorless body offers a much sturdier grip, more tactile controls, and a heft that signals seriousness without becoming a burden on long shoots. Its 3-inch OLED touchscreen with 614k resolution feels notably responsive and bright, making menu navigation and image review pleasurable rather than a squint-fest.

Looking at the top view, the FE-3010 keeps things minimalist - no dedicated dials or buttons for exposure adjustments, reflecting its simple auto-heavy operation. The E-P3, by contrast, sports a classic dial, dedicated buttons for ISO, exposure compensation, and a well-laid-out mode dial that includes manual settings. This empowers photographers who want creative control and faster adjustments on the fly - a clear argument for the E-P3 from a usability standpoint.

Getting to the Heart: Sensor and Image Quality

The heart of any camera is its sensor, so let’s compare the FE-3010’s humble CCD sensor against the E-P3’s advanced Four Thirds CMOS sensor.

The FE-3010 sports a tiny 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm with an area of about 27.72 mm² and 12 megapixels resolution (3968x2976 max). It's built for convenience and snapshots rather than exceptional image quality. The sensor size is typical for compact cameras of its generation but severely limits dynamic range and low-light capabilities.

Meanwhile, the E-P3 impresses with a much larger Four Thirds 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor with an area of 224.9 mm² and also 12 megapixels (4032x3024 max). While the pixel count is similar, the sensor’s physical size bestows superior image quality, richer color depth, and a dynamic range advantage - the E-P3 scores a solid 51 overall on DXOMark, with especially strong color depth (20.8 bits) and dynamic range (10.1 EV), compared to the FE-3010 which lacks official DXO testing but is known to trail behind due to sensor size.

In practice, this means the FE-3010 images show more noise and less fine detail once you zoom in or crop. Shadows tend to clip earlier, and highlights can blow out quickly since the dynamic range is narrow.

The E-P3 handles low-light far better, producing cleaner images at higher ISO settings up to 12800 native sensitivity - though I personally find usable image quality usually tops out around ISO 1600 to 3200 for critical work. The FE-3010 caps at ISO 1600 but image quality at that ISO is very noisy.

Viewing the World: LCD and Interface

User interface and viewing experience can make or break shooting enjoyment. Here the differences are stark.

The FE-3010 has a fixed 2.7-inch, low-res screen - adequate for framing shots in good light but struggles in bright outdoor conditions. No touchscreen, no articulating screen, no electronic viewfinder (EVF). You’re forced to eyeball through the LCD with some difficulty in sunlight.

The E-P3’s 3-inch OLED touchscreen - not just a gimmick - delivers a crisp, vibrant view that is usable in a wide range of lighting conditions. It brandishes anti-fingerprint coating, which is an unexpectedly nice quality-of-life feature.

Though the E-P3 lacks a built-in EVF, there’s an optional external electronic viewfinder available, and many find this acceptable given the compact body size.

The interface on the E-P3 is far more nuanced. Its touchscreen allows tap-to-focus and menu navigation, while physical buttons provide exact control with tactile feedback (too often lacking on small compacts). Olympus’s TruePic VI image processor helps deliver responsive camera operation, reducing shutter lag and menu delays that can frustrate shooters of slower compacts like the FE-3010.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Keeping Pace with the Moment

Let’s talk AF - a crucial factor for sports, wildlife, and street photography.

The FE-3010’s autofocus system is simple contrast-detection with face detection available, but it lacks continuous AF, tracking, or phase detection support. It offers a single focus area and slow, somewhat hesitant focusing speed, especially in low light or low contrast conditions. Burst shooting is not supported.

The E-P3 steps up with a more sophisticated contrast-detection AF system featuring 35 selectable focus points, face detection, AF tracking, continuous AF during burst shooting at 3 frames per second, and support for manual focusing (which is a huge plus for macro or creative work). The AF is agile but not blazing fast compared to modern hybrid AF systems - remember, this is 2011 tech - but it’s a definite step up and versatile enough for semi-professional use.

For sports and wildlife, the E-P3 improves capture reliability substantially. The camera’s 3fps burst speed isn’t jaw-dropping but sufficient for general action. The FE-3010 feels sluggish and too limited for anything beyond casual snaps.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: Fixed Simplicity vs Expandable Creativity

Here lies a monumental divide: the FE-3010 has a fixed 36-108mm (35mm equivalent), f/3.1-5.9 lens. The small zoom range and maximum aperture constraints limit creative scope. Macro focus is possible down to 5 cm, but detail and background blur remain minimal given the sensor size.

The E-P3 features the Micro Four Thirds mount - one of the most versatile and comprehensive lens ecosystems ever developed. Over 100 lenses (including primes, zooms, macros, and specialist optics) are readily available, from Olympus itself and third parties like Panasonic, Sigma, and Voigtländer.

This unlocks endless creative possibilities: wide-angle landscapes, portraits with beautiful bokeh, macro close-ups, fast telephoto for wildlife, and more. The sensor-based image stabilization (IBIS) further enhances handheld versatility across lenses.

In short, if you want creative control and future-proofing, the E-P3 handily beats the FE-3010’s all-in-one fixed lens convenience.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Shooter's Confidence

Neither camera is a rugged beast - Olympus doesn’t claim environmental sealing on the E-P3, and the FE-3010 isn’t waterproof or shockproof either.

Interestingly, the FE-3010 boasts a degree of environmental sealing, but not true weatherproofing. This means it tolerates some moisture or dust better than typical compacts, though I would not recommend pushing its limits.

The E-P3 lacks any weather sealing, so you need to be more cautious shooting in adverse conditions, especially since mirrorless bodies have more delicate internals.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

The FE-3010’s battery specifications are unspecified, but ultracompacts typically deliver limited shots per charge - plus you’ve got microSD or xD-Picture card storage options.

The E-P3’s respectable 330-shot battery life (CIPA rating) is a big plus for events, travel, or longer outings. It uses proprietary Olympus BLS-5 batteries, and files are stored on standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, making it easier to find storage media and faster to transfer files with USB 2.0 or HDMI output.

Multimedia and Video: Modest vs Modern-ish

Video capability on the FE-3010 is rudimentary - 640 x 480 resolution at 30 fps and saved in Motion JPEG format. Roughly speaking, this is VHS-era quality in today’s standards. No external mic or advanced recording options.

The E-P3 upgrades the game with Full HD 1080p recording at 60 fps, plus 720p and VGA modes, and supports AVCHD and Motion JPEG codecs. While lacking mic jacks (which pros may bemoan), the video is smoother, sharper and more suitable for casual videography or hybrid shooters.

Real-World Image Samples and Performance Scores

Seeing is believing, and Olympus fans are spoiled with image quality differences that jump off the screen.

Olympus FE 3010 front Olympus FE 3010 screen back Olympus E P3 front Olympus E P3 screen back

The FE-3010 shots tend toward softer details and less vibrant color due to its sensor and lens combo; highlights and shadows clip sooner, noise is prominent past ISO 200. The E-P3 reveals a crisper, cleaner image with truer color reproduction, better dynamic range, and stronger low-light performance.

Performance metrics underscore these differences: the E-P3 scores significantly higher in image quality, autofocus, and versatility. The FE-3010 is an ultracompact snapshot camera at a budget price; the E-P3 is a capable, creative tool for enthusiasts and pros.

How They Stack Up Across Photography Types

Let's break down how each camera serves diverse photographic niches, reflecting tested performance and practical use cases.

• Portraits:
  The E-P3 delivers better skin tones, eye detection, and beautiful background separation thanks to sensor size and lens options. The FE-3010’s small sensor and fixed zoom struggle with shallow depth of field and subtle color nuances.

• Landscapes:
  The E-P3’s dynamic range and resolution enable capturing rich, detailed vistas. The FE-3010 can serve casual snaps but falls short in shadow detail and sharpness.

• Wildlife:
  The E-P3’s faster autofocus and lens versatility shine here. Burst rates on both are modest but E-P3’s continuous AF gives it an edge to track moving subjects.

• Sports:
  Neither camera is sport-specialized, but the E-P3’s AF tracking and faster shutter speeds perform better in low-light and action scenarios.

• Street:
  The FE-3010’s compactness makes it easy to carry discreetly; the E-P3 is bigger but still portable and offers better image quality and control.

• Macro:
  The E-P3’s manual focus and lens selection make macros more rewarding than the FE-3010’s rudimentary close focusing.

• Night/Astro:
  The E-P3’s high ISO capabilities allow better night shots and astrophotography attempts; FE-3010 cannot compete.

• Video:
  E-P3’s full HD video beats FE-3010’s VGA output hands down.

• Travel:
  FE-3010’s size helps portability, but E-P3’s versatility and battery life favor serious travelers.

• Professional Work:
  The E-P3 is the clear winner - supporting RAW files, manual exposure modes, and an extensive lens system.

Wrapping It Up: Which Olympus Suits Whom?

After extensive hands-on use and technical evaluation, here’s my take:

• Choose the Olympus FE-3010 if:

  • You want a no-fuss ultracompact camera for casual snapshots.
  • Budget is tight (priced around $140 new-ish).
  • You value ultimate portability and simplicity over image quality or controls.
  • Your photography needs don’t extend beyond family photos or travel mementos.
  • Evenness of image quality or low-light performance aren’t deal-breakers.

• Choose the Olympus PEN E-P3 if:

  • You’re an enthusiast or professional wanting manual controls and creative freedom.
  • You appreciate excellent image quality, wider dynamic range, and low-light capability.
  • You want to explore an extensive lens lineup for specialized photography - portraits, macro, wildlife, you name it.
  • You shoot video and want HD capabilities.
  • Reliability and battery life matter for longer sessions or travel.
  • Budget is flexible (second-hand pricing varies, but still significantly above ultracompacts).

Final Thoughts: The Evolution of Olympus and Digital Imaging

To fondly reflect on these two, the FE-3010 reminds me of the days when point-and-shoots were king for casual users - convenient, affordable, but showing their limits quickly. The PEN E-P3, on the other hand, marked Olympus’s bold leap into mirrorless innovation, proving that a camera can be compact yet powerful and creative.

If you’re a photography enthusiast or pro today, the FE-3010 is a collector’s curiosity or a backup camera at best. The E-P3, despite its age, is still a very usable, capable mirrorless camera with remarkable image quality and flexibility.

Choosing your next camera comes down to balance: do you crave simplicity or creative control? Portability or performance? Nostalgia or technical prowess? I hope this comparison provides clarity - and, perhaps, a little nostalgia for Olympus’s steady journey to camera excellence.

With my camera bag packed and memories captured, I’m always ready for the next test - hope you are too. Happy shooting!