Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax H90

Here is a extended review of the Olympus E-P3 versus Pentax H90, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the H90 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and H90 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The E-P3 was manufactured 19 months later than the H90 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax H90 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-P3 matches up against the H90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-P3 & Pentax Optio H90. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-P3 Gallery & Pentax H90 Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P3 has 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 H90 has proportions of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P3 versus Pentax H90 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-P3 versus the H90.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and H90 is 86 and 93 respectively.

Quite often, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing technical specs. The visual here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and H90.

As you can tell, each of these cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-P3 has the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF easier. The fresher E-P3 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.