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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P3

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P5
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P3 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-P3, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are offered by Olympus. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and E-P3 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 II was brought out 5 years after the E-P3 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-M1 II matches up against the E-P3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus E-P3

 E-M1 II E-P3 
ReleasedSeptember 2016August 2011More modern by 62 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k614kCrisper display (+423k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 E-P3 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-P3

 E-M1 II E-P3 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 II has external dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-P3 has specifications of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-P3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 II versus the E-P3.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and E-P3 is 68 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes simply by viewing specifications. The image underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and E-P3.

Plainly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus E-M1 II to result in extra detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 II is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography highlights
75
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography highlights
Olympus E-P3 Street photography highlights
78
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment proofing
lighter than others in class (574g)
great ISO range (25,600)
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Olympus E-P3
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
not so great battery (350 per charge)
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography highlights
Olympus E-P3 Travel photography highlights
72
lighter than others in class (574g)
environment proofing
has focus by touch
MP count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly display
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
60
includes touch focus
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography highlights
76
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
not so great battery (350 shots)
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging details
Olympus E-P3 Vlogging details
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has mic support
lighter than others in class (574 grams)
35
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing external mic support
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-P3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus PEN E-P3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus PEN E-P3
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2016-09-19 2011-08-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 35
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 200)
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574g (1.27 lb) 369g (0.81 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 51
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 20.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 10.1
DXO Low light rating 1312 536
Other
Battery life 350 photos 330 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 2 Single
Pricing at launch $1,700 $0