Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II
86 Imaging
48 Features
60 Overall
52


57 Imaging
76 Features
92 Overall
82
Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II 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
- Introduced August 2011
- Old Model is Olympus E-P2
- Updated by Olympus E-P5
(Full Review)
- 42MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
- Introduced September 2016
- Succeeded the Sony A99

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II Overview
On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-P3 versus Sony A99 II, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and A99 II (Full frame) posses totally different sensor sizes.

The E-P3 was brought out 6 years earlier than the A99 II and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-P3 grades versus the A99 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-P3 and Sony Alpha A99 II. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-P3 Gallery and Sony A99 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Sony A99 II
E-P3 | A99 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Olympus E-P3
A99 II | E-P3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2016 | ![]() | August 2011 | Fresher by 62 months |
Display type | Fully articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 614k | Clearer display (+615k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Sony A99 II
E-P3 | A99 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display dimensions |
Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P3 provides outer dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 II has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-P3 versus Sony A99 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-P3 and the A99 II.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and A99 II is 86 and 57 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and A99 II.
Clearly, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-P3 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A99 II will provide you with extra detail having its extra 30MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older E-P3 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P3 | Sony Alpha A99 II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus PEN E-P3 | Sony Alpha A99 II |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2011-08-17 | 2016-09-19 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VI | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 42MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 7952 x 5304 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 102400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Min enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 399 |
Cross focus points | - | 79 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 107 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully articulated |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 614k dot | 1,229k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.78x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0fps | 12.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) | Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
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 | 369g (0.81 pounds) | 849g (1.87 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") | 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 51 | 92 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.8 | 25.4 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.1 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light score | 536 | 2317 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 pictures | 490 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger |
Battery model | BLS-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots |
Storage slots | Single | Two |
Price at release | $0 | $3,198 |