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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3 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
  • Released August 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-P2
  • Updated by Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-PL3
(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
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL2
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both sold by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the E-PL3 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-P3 was manufactured at a similar time to the E-PL3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-P3 matches up vs the E-PL3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-PL3

 E-P3 E-PL3 
Screen resolution614k460kClearer screen (+154k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus E-P3

 E-PL3 E-P3 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL3

 E-P3 E-PL3 
LaunchedAugust 2011September 2011Similar generation
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P3 provides outside measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL3 has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-P3 vs the E-PL3.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and E-PL3 is 86 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specifications. The pic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and E-PL3.

Plainly, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures however you should really take the release date of the products into consideration.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P3
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL3
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P3
Street photography with Olympus E-PL3
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
has focus by touch
no moving screen
84
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (300 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-P3
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL3
60
has focus by touch
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
44
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery (300 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography information
Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography information
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery (300 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging advice
Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging advice
35
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL3
 Olympus PEN E-P3Olympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Olympus PEN E-PL3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-08-17 2011-09-20
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Truepic VI
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
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 614 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
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
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash options 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 sync 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369 gr (0.81 pounds) 313 gr (0.69 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 51 52
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 20.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 10.3
DXO Low light score 536 499
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 300 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $0 $399