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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 III
Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Launched September 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PL3, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are manufactured by Olympus. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and E-PL3 (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 II was announced 5 years after the E-PL3 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a full comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-M1 II scores against the E-PL3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus E-PL3

 E-M1 II E-PL3 
LaunchedSeptember 2016September 2011Newer by 61 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 E-PL3 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PL3

 E-M1 II E-PL3 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurement

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 II offers physical measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL3 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PL3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 II and the E-PL3.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and E-PL3 is 68 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions only by looking through technical specs. The pic here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and E-PL3.

As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus E-M1 II to provide you with greater detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The newer E-M1 II is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography information
Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography information
75
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography info
Olympus E-PL3 Street photography info
78
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
provides touch to focus
weather proofing
lighter than competition (574 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
84
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography information
Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography information
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
terrible battery power (350 shots)
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery power (300 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography details
Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography details
72
lighter than competition (574 grams)
weather proofing
provides touch to focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery power (350 CIPA)
44
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (300 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Landscape photography camera
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
terrible battery power (350 per charge)
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery power (300 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone socket
lighter than competition (574g)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PL3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus PEN E-PL3
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2016-09-19 2011-09-20
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Truepic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 121 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes 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, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 grams (1.27 lbs) 313 grams (0.69 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 52
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 20.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 10.3
DXO Low light rating 1312 499
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 300 pictures
Battery format 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 feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual One
Price at launch $1,700 $399