Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A3000
86 Imaging
48 Features
60 Overall
52


69 Imaging
62 Features
54 Overall
58
Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A3000 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
- Announced August 2011
- Replaced the Olympus E-P2
- New Model is Olympus E-P5
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
- Released August 2013
- Replacement is Sony a3500

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A3000 Overview
Below is a thorough comparison of the Olympus E-P3 versus Sony A3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and A3000 (20MP) and the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and A3000 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

The E-P3 was released 24 months before the A3000 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-P3 scores versus the A3000 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A3000 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-P3 & Sony Alpha A3000. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-P3 Gallery & Sony A3000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Sony A3000
E-P3 | A3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+384k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Olympus E-P3
A3000 | E-P3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2013 | ![]() | August 2011 | More recent by 24 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Sony A3000
E-P3 | A3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P3 offers physical dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Sony A3000 has measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-P3 versus Sony A3000 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-P3 vs the A3000.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P3 and A3000 is 86 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very hard to see the difference between sensor measurements just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P3 and A3000.
As you can tell, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-P3 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony A3000 will offer more detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older E-P3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A3000 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P3 | Sony Alpha A3000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-P3 | Sony Alpha A3000 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2011-08-17 | 2013-08-27 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VI | BIONZ image |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 5456 x 3632 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 16000 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 614 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.47x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) | 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) | Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
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) | 1920 x 1080 |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | AVCHD, H.264, MP4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 369 gr (0.81 lb) | 411 gr (0.91 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") | 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 51 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.8 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.1 | 12.8 |
DXO Low light rating | 536 | 1068 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 photos | 470 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | - |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $0 | $398 |