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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM2 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
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-P2
  • New Model is Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched May 2013
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus E-PM2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both are sold by Olympus. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-P3 was unveiled 21 months prior to the E-PM2 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-P3 matches up vs the E-PM2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-P3 E-PM2 
Screen resolution614k460kCrisper screen (+154k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-P3

 E-PM2 E-P3 
LaunchedMay 2013August 2011More recent by 21 months

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PM2

 E-P3 E-PM2 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P3 has got 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) while the Olympus E-PM2 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus E-PM2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-P3 versus the E-PM2.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-P3 and E-PM2 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by checking out specs. The visual underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P3 and E-PM2.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Olympus E-PM2 to produce extra detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The older E-P3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography highlights
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Street photography factors
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features focus via touch
fixed screen
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography info
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect AF
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography factors
60
features focus via touch
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
comes with focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography info
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
74
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging info
Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging info
35
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
36
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus PEN E-P3Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-08-17 2013-05-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 614k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/250 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369 gr (0.81 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
Physical 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 Overall rating 51 72
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 12.2
DXO Low light rating 536 932
Other
Battery life 330 images 360 images
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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $448