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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P5
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched February 2010
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90 Overview

The following is a extended assessment of the Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the W90 (12MP) is very comparable but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and W90 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.

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The E-P3 was released 18 months after the W90 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-P3 matches up vs the W90 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Pentax W90

 E-P3 W90 
LaunchedAugust 2011February 2010Newer by 18 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kClearer display (+384k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Olympus E-P3

 W90 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax W90

 E-P3 W90 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P3 offers exterior measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Pentax W90 has measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-P3 against the W90.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and W90 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by checking out specs. The pic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and W90.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have the same MP but not the same sensor dimensions. The E-P3 has got the larger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier. The more modern E-P3 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
27
focusing manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography features
Pentax W90 Street photography features
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers touch focus
fixed screen
54
environment proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P3
Sports photography with Pentax W90
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
has no phase detect autofocus
24
environment proof
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
60
offers touch focus
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
64
environment proof
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax W90 Landscape photography highlights
65
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
missing Timelapse recording
37
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P3
Vlogging with Pentax W90
35
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone jack
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Pentax W90
 Olympus PEN E-P3Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Pentax Optio W90
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Revealed 2011-08-17 2010-02-24
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 614 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 369 grams (0.81 lb) 164 grams (0.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $0 $120