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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70 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
  • Later Model is Olympus E-P5
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Launched March 2009
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the P70 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and P70 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The E-P3 was manufactured 2 years later than the P70 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-P3 matches up against the P70 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Pentax P70

 E-P3 P70 
LaunchedAugust 2011March 2009Fresher by 30 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kSharper display (+384k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Olympus E-P3

 P70 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax P70

 E-P3 P70 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P3 features outer dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Pentax P70 has proportions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-P3 vs the P70.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P3 and P70 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P3 and P70.

Clearly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact resolution but different sensor sizing. The E-P3 offers the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field easier. The newer E-P3 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography features
Pentax P70 Portrait photography features
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Street photography camera
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with touch focus
screen does not articulate
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (155 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography details
Pentax P70 Sports photography details
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect AF
17
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography details
Pentax P70 Travel photography details
60
comes with touch focus
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
56
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (155 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
32
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P3
Vlogging with Pentax P70
35
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone port
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (155 grams)
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Pentax P70
 Olympus PEN E-P3Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Pentax Optio P70
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2011-08-17 2009-03-02
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 614 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369 gr (0.81 lb) 155 gr (0.34 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $0 $200