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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL5

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL5 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
  • Launched August 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-P2
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Introduced September 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus E-PL5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and both of them are built by Olympus. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and E-PL5 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-P3 was launched 13 months earlier than the E-PL5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-P3 matches up vs the E-PL5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-PL5

 E-P3 E-PL5 
Display resolution614k460kClearer display (+154k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus E-P3

 E-PL5 E-P3 
IntroducedSeptember 2012August 2011More modern by 13 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL5

 E-P3 E-PL5 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P3 offers exterior dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL5 has dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus E-PL5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-P3 compared to the E-PL5.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P3 and E-PL5 is 86 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by going over specifications. The picture underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and E-PL5.

Plainly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Olympus E-PL5 to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged E-P3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL5 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
71
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography advice
Olympus E-PL5 Street photography advice
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes touch to focus
screen does not articulate
85
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography factors
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect AF
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-P3
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL5
60
includes touch to focus
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
75
provides focus by touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography information
Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography information
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging details
35
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
missing external mic support
78
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
no external microphone jack
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL5
 Olympus PEN E-P3Olympus PEN E-PL5
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Olympus PEN E-PL5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-08-17 2012-09-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 35
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 614 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash modes 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369 grams (0.81 lb) 325 grams (0.72 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 51 72
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 12.3
DXO Low light rating 536 889
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 360 pictures
Style of battery 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/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $0 $400