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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1s

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Key Specs

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
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-P2
  • New Model is Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed November 2010
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL2
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL1s, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both sold by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the E-PL1s (12MP) is very similar and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-P3 was released 10 months later than the E-PL1s which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-P3 grades versus the E-PL1s in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 E-P3 E-PL1s 
RevealedAugust 2011November 2010Fresher by 10 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kCrisper display (+384k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Olympus E-P3

 E-PL1s E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL1s

 E-P3 E-PL1s 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-P3 has got outside measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL1s has specifications of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL1s in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-P3 compared to the E-PL1s.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1s size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and E-PL1s is 86 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1s top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading specs. The visual below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P3 and E-PL1s.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs though you need to take the age of the products into consideration. The fresher E-P3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1s sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography details
Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography details
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P3
Street photography with Olympus E-PL1s
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
supports touch focus
no moving screen
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Sports photography camera
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
no phase detect auto focus
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery life (290 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Travel photography camera
60
supports touch focus
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (290 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P3
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1s
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (290 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging factors
35
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL1s
 Olympus PEN E-P3Olympus PEN E-PL1s
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-08-17 2010-11-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 614k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369 grams (0.81 lbs) 334 grams (0.74 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots 290 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $0 $599