Olympus FE-47 vs Olympus E-PL3

Let's look a little more closely at the Olympus FE-47 versus Olympus E-PL3, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the FE-47 (14MP) and the E-PL3 (12MP) is fairly similar but the FE-47 (1/2.3") and E-PL3 (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The FE-47 was launched 20 months earlier than the E-PL3 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus FE-47 being a Compact camera and the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the FE-47 scores against the E-PL3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus FE-47 & Olympus PEN E-PL3. The complete galleries are available at Olympus FE-47 Gallery & Olympus E-PL3 Gallery.

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus FE-47 comes with exterior dimensions of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL3 has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus FE-47 versus Olympus E-PL3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the FE-47 compared to the E-PL3.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the FE-47 and E-PL3 is 93 and 88 respectively.

Usually, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the FE-47 and E-PL3.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FE-47 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Olympus FE-47 will offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older FE-47 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.