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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1 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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PM2
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and they are both offered by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the E-PM1 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-P3 was manufactured 3 months before the E-PM1 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-P3 grades vs the E-PM1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-PM1

 E-P3 E-PM1 
Screen resolution614k460kSharper screen (+154k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus E-P3

 E-PM1 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PM1

 E-P3 E-PM1 
IntroducedAugust 2011November 2011Same generation
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P3 features outside measurements 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-PM1 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the E-P3 against the E-PM1.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and E-PM1 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out specs. The pic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and E-PM1.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of images however you should really take the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography features
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
offers focus by touch
no articulating screen
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography information
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography information
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
no phase detect AF
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography features
60
offers focus by touch
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
45
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography information
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography information
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
no Timelapse function
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P3
Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
35
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone port
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PM1
 Olympus PEN E-P3Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-08-17 2011-11-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI TruePic VI
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 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 35 35
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 614 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen 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 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
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) no built-in flash
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
AEB
WB 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 369g (0.81 pounds) 265g (0.58 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 51 52
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 10.3
DXO Low light rating 536 499
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 330 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $0 $499