Clicky

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3

Portability
80
Imaging
53
Features
84
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M5
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M5 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
  • Launched August 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Successor is Olympus E-P5
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3 Overview

Here is a comprehensive review of the Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are built by Olympus. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the E-M5 II (16MP) and E-P3 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The E-M5 II was announced 3 years later than the E-P3 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-M5 II grades against the E-P3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Olympus E-P3

 E-M5 II E-P3 
LaunchedFebruary 2015August 2011Fresher by 43 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k614kCrisper display (+423k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-M5 II

 E-P3 E-M5 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus E-P3

 E-M5 II E-P3 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 II has got outside measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") and a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-P3 has proportions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M5 II versus the E-P3.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 II and E-P3 is 80 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching specifications. The visual here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 II and E-P3.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Olympus E-M5 II to render extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer E-M5 II provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Portrait photography details
Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography details
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW files
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M5 II
Street photography with Olympus E-P3
82
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
provides focus via touch
environment sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
screen does not articulate
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography details
Olympus E-P3 Sports photography details
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
not so great battery power (310 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
lack of phase detect AF
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography info
Olympus E-P3 Travel photography info
74
environment sealing
provides focus via touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery power (310 shots)
60
comes with touch to focus
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography advice
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
not so great battery power (310 CIPA)
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Vlogging factors
Olympus E-P3 Vlogging factors
82
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic port
35
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus E-P3
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIOlympus PEN E-P3
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus PEN E-P3
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2015-02-06 2011-08-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII TruePic VI
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 81 35
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - 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
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 200)
Flash settings Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 469g (1.03 lbs) 369g (0.81 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 51
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 20.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 10.1
DXO Low light rating 896 536
Other
Battery life 310 images 330 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $699 $0