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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Pentax K100D Super front
Portability
65
Imaging
45
Features
38
Overall
42

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S 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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P5
Pentax K100D S
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 129 x 91 x 71mm
  • Released June 2007
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K100D
  • Later Model is Pentax K200D
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-P3 versus Pentax K100D S, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and K100D S (6MP) and the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and K100D S (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The E-P3 was released 4 years later than the K100D S and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K100D S being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-P3 scores against the K100D S with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Pentax K100D S

 E-P3 K100D S 
ReleasedAugust 2011June 2007More recent by 51 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution614k210kCrisper screen (+404k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D S over the Olympus E-P3

 K100D S E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax K100D S

 E-P3 K100D S 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-P3 features physical measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Pentax K100D S has specifications of 129mm x 91mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-P3 versus Pentax K100D S in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-P3 against the K100D S.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P3 and K100D S is 86 and 65 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements just by reading through technical specs. The visual below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and K100D S.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-P3 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field harder and the Olympus E-P3 will give you more detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern E-P3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography information
Pentax K100D S Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
resolution not great (6MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K100D S as a Street photography camera
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports touch focus
screen is fixed
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography info
Pentax K100D S Sports photography info
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have phase detect autofocus
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography info
Pentax K100D S Travel photography info
60
supports touch focus
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
45
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P3
Landscape photography with Pentax K100D S
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
52
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K100D S Vlogging highlights
35
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing external mic socket
9
no video shooting
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Pentax K100D S
 Olympus PEN E-P3Pentax K100D Super
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Pentax K100D Super
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-08-17 2007-06-28
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 614 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369g (0.81 pounds) 646g (1.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 129 x 91 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Price at release $0 $520