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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Successor is Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL3
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus E-PL2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the E-PL2 (12MP) is relatively similar and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-P3 was announced 7 months later than the E-PL2 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the E-P3 scores against the E-PL2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-PL2

 E-P3 E-PL2 
AnnouncedAugust 2011February 2011More recent by 7 months
Screen resolution614k460kClearer screen (+154k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus E-P3

 E-PL2 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL2

 E-P3 E-PL2 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-P3 provides outer measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL2 has specifications of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus E-PL2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the E-P3 against the E-PL2.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and E-PL2 is 86 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor measurements only by going over a spec sheet. The visual below may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and E-PL2.

As you can see, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP and you can expect similar quality of pictures but you would want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The newer E-P3 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography info
Olympus E-PL2 Street photography info
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
screen is fixed
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography info
Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography info
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect AF
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery (280 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
60
features focus by touch
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery (280 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P3
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL2
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
lack of Timelapse function
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery (280 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging information
Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging information
35
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL2
 Olympus PEN E-P3Olympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-08-17 2011-02-11
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 614k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369g (0.81 pounds) 362g (0.80 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 51 55
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 10.2
DXO Low light rating 536 573
Other
Battery life 330 photos 280 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $0 $0