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Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A3000

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A3000 Key Specs

Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Announced April 2010
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-P1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P3
Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Announced August 2013
  • Refreshed by Sony a3500
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Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A3000 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Olympus E-P2 versus Sony A3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-P2 (12MP) and A3000 (20MP) and the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and A3000 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The E-P2 was announced 4 years earlier than the A3000 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a short summation of how the E-P2 scores vs the A3000 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Sony A3000

 E-P2 A3000 

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Olympus E-P2

 A3000 E-P2 
AnnouncedAugust 2013April 2010More recent by 40 months

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Sony A3000

 E-P2 A3000 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P2 provides outer dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Sony A3000 has proportions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P2 versus Sony A3000 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-P2 and the A3000.

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P2 and A3000 is 86 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements simply by seeing technical specs. The visual below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P2 and A3000.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-P2 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony A3000 will provide greater detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older E-P2 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A3000 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
77
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Street photography advice
Sony A3000 Street photography advice
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
heavier than average (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Sports photography info
Sony A3000 Sports photography info
40
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery life (300 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
60
MP count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery (470 shots)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Travel photography factors
Sony A3000 Travel photography factors
43
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery life (300 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
60
good battery (470 per charge)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (411 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Landscape photography advice
Sony A3000 Landscape photography advice
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery life (300 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
MP count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (470 shots)
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Vlogging details
Sony A3000 Vlogging details
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
26
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external mic support
heavier than average (411g)
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Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Sony A3000
 Olympus PEN E-P2Sony Alpha A3000
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-P2 Sony Alpha A3000
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-04-22 2013-08-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD, H.264, MP4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 355 grams (0.78 pounds) 411 grams (0.91 pounds)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 78
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 12.8
DXO Low light score 505 1068
Other
Battery life 300 photos 470 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card -
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $799 $398