Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL3
80 Imaging
61 Features
88 Overall
71
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88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Olympus E-M5 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
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
- Revealed October 2019
- Old Model is Olympus E-M5 II
- Replacement is OM System OM-5
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
- Launched September 2011
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL2
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus E-PL3, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both sold by Olympus. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and E-PL3 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).
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The E-M5 III was unveiled 8 years later than the E-PL3 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-M5 III matches up against the E-PL3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M5 III and Olympus PEN E-PL3. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M5 III Gallery and Olympus E-PL3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Olympus E-PL3
E-M5 III | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2019 | ![]() | September 2011 | More recent by 99 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+580k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus E-M5 III
E-PL3 | E-M5 III |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus E-PL3
E-M5 III | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 III enjoys outside dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") along with a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) and 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).
Analyze the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus E-PL3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M5 III compared to the E-PL3.
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Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 III and E-PL3 is 80 and 88 respectively.
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements merely by seeing specifications. The photograph below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 III and E-PL3.
To sum up, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Olympus E-M5 III to show extra detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger E-M5 III will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Olympus |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Olympus PEN E-PL3 |
Class | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2019-10-17 | 2011-09-20 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic VIII | Truepic VI |
Sensor type | MOS | 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 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Peak resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4032 x 3024 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | 64 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 121 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 107 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 1,040k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/32000 seconds | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 30.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
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, Manual (3 levels) |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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) |
Highest video resolution | 4096x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 414 gr (0.91 lbs) | 313 gr (0.69 lbs) |
Dimensions | 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 310 shots | 300 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLN-1 | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at release | $1,199 | $399 |