Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL3
67 Imaging
62 Features
96 Overall
75


88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs
(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
- 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
- Announced February 2020
- Replaced the Olympus E-M1 II
(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
- Announced September 2011
- Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview
Its time to look a little more closely at the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are built by Olympus. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and E-PL3 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

The E-M1 III was announced 8 years later than the E-PL3 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-M1 III scores versus the E-PL3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III & Olympus PEN E-PL3. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M1 III Gallery & Olympus E-PL3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus E-PL3
E-M1 III | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2020 | ![]() | September 2011 | More recent by 103 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+577k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus E-M1 III
E-PL3 | E-M1 III |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL3
E-M1 III | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to lug around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 III has physical dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL3 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 III and the E-PL3.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and E-PL3 is 67 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading specifications. The visual here may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and E-PL3.
Plainly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Olympus E-M1 III to offer greater detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 III will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III | Olympus PEN E-PL3 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2020-02-11 | 2011-09-20 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic IX | 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 | 20 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4032 x 3024 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | 64 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 121 | 35 |
Cross type focus points | 121 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 107 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 1,037k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | - | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/32000s | - |
Continuous shutter rate | 60.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 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) |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/160s |
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 PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 4096x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 580g (1.28 lbs) | 313g (0.69 lbs) |
Dimensions | 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 52 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 499 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 420 photographs | 300 photographs |
Form of battery | 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 recording | ||
Storage type | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 2 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $1,800 | $399 |