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Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II 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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Updated by Olympus E-P5
Sony A99 II
(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
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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.

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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.

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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 
IntroducedSeptember 2016August 2011Fresher by 62 months
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k614kClearer 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 dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography factors
Sony A99 II Portrait photography factors
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
86
manual focus
MP count fantastic (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography advice
Sony A99 II Street photography advice
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
no articulating screen
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P3
Sports photography with Sony A99 II
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
has no phase detect auto focus
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Travel photography camera
60
comes with focus via touch
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
70
environment sealing
has bluetooth
MP count fantastic (42MP)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery pack (490 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography factors
Sony A99 II Landscape photography factors
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
82
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery pack (490 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P3
Vlogging with Sony A99 II
35
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
78
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone jack
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Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Sony A99 II
 Olympus PEN E-P3Sony 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