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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

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

Olympus E-M1 III
(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
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
  • Announced September 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
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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).

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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.

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

 E-M1 III E-PL3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020September 2011More recent by 103 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper 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 sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

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

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography details
Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography details
77
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Street photography camera
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
environment proof
great high ISO (25,600)
84
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography highlights
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max fps (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
79
environment proof
supports bluetooth
has touch focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
44
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography features
81
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging features
Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging features
79
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has mic support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus 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