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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Key Specs

Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL8
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and they are both offered by Olympus. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and E-PL9 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-P3 was released 7 years prior to the E-PL9 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-P3 matches up versus the E-PL9 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-PL9

 E-P3 E-PL9 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus E-P3

 E-PL9 E-P3 
RevealedFebruary 2018August 2011More modern by 78 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k614kSharper screen (+426k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL9

 E-P3 E-PL9 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P3 has exterior measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL9 has proportions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-P3 vs the E-PL9.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-P3 and E-PL9 is 86 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through specs. The picture here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and E-PL9.

All in all, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus E-PL9 to provide extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-P3 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
73
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography features
Olympus E-PL9 Street photography features
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
includes touch to focus
fixed screen
84
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
supports focus by touch
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P3
Sports photography with Olympus E-PL9
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect AF
69
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-P3
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL9
60
includes touch to focus
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
77
has bluetooth
supports focus by touch
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography factors
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
80
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
35
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone jack
35
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
missing microphone support
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL9
 Olympus PEN E-P3Olympus PEN E-PL9
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Olympus PEN E-PL9
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-08-17 2018-02-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI TruePic VIII
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 35 121
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 614 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 8.6 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 7.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 gr (0.81 pounds) 380 gr (0.84 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 350 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $0 $599