Clicky

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Revealed January 2019
  • Old Model is 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
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL2
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Olympus E-M1X versus Olympus E-PL3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are built by Olympus. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and E-PL3 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The E-M1X was brought out 7 years later than the E-PL3 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-M1X matches up against the E-PL3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Olympus E-PL3

 E-M1X E-PL3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2019September 2011More recent by 90 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus E-M1X

 E-PL3 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PL3

 E-M1X E-PL3 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1X offers outside measurements of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 997 grams (2.20 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-M1X versus Olympus E-PL3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M1X against the E-PL3.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1X and E-PL3 is 54 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to see the gap in sensor measurements purely by researching specifications. The photograph below might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1X and E-PL3.

Plainly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Olympus E-M1X to provide you with more detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The younger E-M1X is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1X
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL3
76
manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1X
Street photography with Olympus E-PL3
67
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
environment sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
heavier than average (997g)
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Sports photography features
Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography features
80
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery (870 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max fps low (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
68
good battery (870 shots)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
decent MP (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
heavier than average (997g)
44
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery (300 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Landscape photography camera
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery (870 per charge)
has double storage slots
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery (300 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1X
Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
68
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic port
heavier than average (997g)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PL3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XOlympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1X Olympus PEN E-PL3
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2019-01-24 2011-09-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Dual 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 area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 121 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
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, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 997g (2.20 lb) 313g (0.69 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 870 photographs 300 photographs
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two One
Price at launch $2,999 $399