Olympus E-P3 vs Sony NEX-3

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus E-P3 versus Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is pretty close but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-P3 was announced 15 months after the NEX-3 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-P3 scores vs the NEX-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-P3 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-P3 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.

If you're looking to travel with your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P3 comes with physical 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) while the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

See the Olympus E-P3 versus Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-P3 vs the NEX-3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P3 and NEX-3 is 86 and 89 respectively.

More often than not, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing technical specs. The picture here will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and NEX-3.

As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-P3 having a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Sony NEX-3 will result in extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher E-P3 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.