Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S
86 Imaging
48 Features
60 Overall
52


65 Imaging
45 Features
38 Overall
42
Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-P3 & Pentax K100D Super. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-P3 Gallery & Pentax K100D S Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Pentax K100D S
E-P3 | K100D S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2011 | ![]() | June 2007 | More recent by 51 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 210k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K100D S Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P3 | Pentax 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 |