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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Old Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Successor is Olympus E-P5
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • Updated by Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax K-7, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is relatively comparable but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and K-7 (APS-C) posses different sensor size.

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The E-P3 was revealed 23 months after the K-7 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the E-P3 grades vs the K-7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Pentax K-7

 E-P3 K-7 
RevealedAugust 2011October 2009Newer by 23 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Olympus E-P3

 K-7 E-P3 
Screen resolution921k614kClearer screen (+307k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax K-7

 E-P3 K-7 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P3 has physical 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 Pentax K-7 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax K-7 in the latest 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 are utilising at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-P3 and the K-7.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and K-7 is 86 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and K-7.

As you can see, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-P3 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Pentax K-7 will produce greater detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The newer E-P3 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography details
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
72
manual focus
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography information
Pentax K-7 Street photography information
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
screen is fixed
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-7 Sports photography factors
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
lacks phase detect auto focus
69
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography info
Pentax K-7 Travel photography info
60
supports focus via touch
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
64
environment proofing
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P3
Landscape photography with Pentax K-7
65
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-7 Vlogging factors
35
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone jack
25
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Pentax K-7
 Olympus PEN E-P3Pentax K-7
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Pentax K-7
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-08-17 2009-10-02
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 12800 2000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 614 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369g (0.81 lbs) 750g (1.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 51 61
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 10.6
DXO Low light score 536 536
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 980 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $0 $599