Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus E-PL3
95 Imaging
35 Features
20 Overall
29


88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 24-120mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
- 137g - 93 x 56 x 25mm
- Launched July 2009
- Alternative Name is X-935
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
- Revealed September 2011
- Superseded the Olympus E-PL2

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview
Following is a in depth review of the Olympus FE-5020 and Olympus E-PL3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are created by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the FE-5020 (12MP) and the E-PL3 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the FE-5020 (1/2.3") and E-PL3 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor sizes.

The FE-5020 was released 3 years before the E-PL3 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus FE-5020 being a Compact camera and the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the FE-5020 matches up vs the E-PL3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus E-PL3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus FE-5020 & Olympus PEN E-PL3. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus FE-5020 Gallery & Olympus E-PL3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus FE-5020 over the Olympus E-PL3
FE-5020 | E-PL3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus FE-5020
E-PL3 | FE-5020 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | September 2011 | ![]() | July 2009 | More modern by 26 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus FE-5020 and Olympus E-PL3
FE-5020 | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus FE-5020 enjoys physical dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 137 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL3 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).
See the Olympus FE-5020 and Olympus E-PL3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the FE-5020 versus the E-PL3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FE-5020 and E-PL3 is 95 and 88 respectively.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by seeing specs. The image underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FE-5020 and E-PL3.
All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The FE-5020 has got the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher. The more aged FE-5020 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications
Olympus FE-5020 | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Olympus |
Model | Olympus FE-5020 | Olympus PEN E-PL3 |
Also Known as | X-935 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2009-07-22 | 2011-09-20 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III | Truepic VI |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3968 x 2976 | 4032 x 3024 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Micro Four Thirds |
Lens focal range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-5.8 | - |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | - | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 60 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/500 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 6.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.10 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 137 grams (0.30 pounds) | 313 grams (0.69 pounds) |
Dimensions | 93 x 56 x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 52 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 20.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 10.3 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 499 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 300 photos |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-42B | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | xD-Picture Card, microSD | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $160 | $399 |