Olympus E-P3 vs Sony HX350: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When diving into the vast world of cameras, choosing a model that fits your photography style, technical needs, and budget can be daunting. Today, I’m putting two very different cameras head-to-head: the Olympus PEN E-P3, a compact mirrorless rangefinder-style camera launched in 2011, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350, a superzoom bridge camera from 2016. Although these cameras come from distinct categories and eras, they each appeal to enthusiasts looking for versatility in a lightweight body.

Drawing on my 15+ years of firsthand evaluation, including sensor tests, autofocus trials, and real-world shooting scenarios, this article offers an in-depth, practical comparison to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re into portraits, landscape, wildlife, street, or video, I’ll break down each camera’s strengths and limitations - and guide you on which might suit your photographic journey best.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Before even firing a shutter, the way a camera feels in hand often shapes user satisfaction during extended shoots - especially if you’re traveling or shooting on location.

The Olympus E-P3 is a compact, rangefinder-style mirrorless camera measuring 122 x 69 x 34 mm and weighing a nimble 369 grams. Its minimalist form factor is ideal for photographers who prioritize portability without sacrificing manual control and interchangeable lens capability.

In contrast, the Sony HX350 is a noticeably larger and heavier superzoom bridge camera at 130 x 93 x 103 mm and tipping the scales at 652 grams. Its SLR-like body with a substantial grip gives it a solid feel, which helps during telephoto shooting, but it’s less pocketable.

From a handling perspective, I found the Olympus controls more refined, designed for photographers who like to tweak settings on the fly. The Sony, with its extensive zoom lens, caters to those who need reach more than subtlety in manual operations.

Take a look at the top view and controls for a clearer sense of their design philosophies:

The E-P3 sports a classic clean layout with an emphasis on external dials and buttons for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a touchscreen interface. The HX350 features a busier top plate dominated by zoom controls and a dedicated mode dial but lacks touchscreen control, which may slow down operation for some.

Quick Takeaway:

For portability and tactile shooting feel, Olympus wins. For extensive zoom reach and an all-in-one solution, Sony’s larger body offers ergonomic benefits despite its size.

Sensor and Image Quality: Crunching the Numbers and Real-World Output

Sensor technology remains the backbone of image quality, influencing resolution, color depth, noise control, and dynamic range.

The Olympus E-P3 features a 12MP Four Thirds-sized CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm). Despite its modest megapixel count, the larger sensor size compared to compact camera sensors provides superior light-gathering ability and image quality. It incorporates an anti-aliasing filter for smoother images but slightly reduces sharpness.

By contrast, the Sony HX350 packs a 20MP 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), typical of superzoom compacts. Although the resolution is higher on paper, the much smaller sensor area limits performance in low light and dynamic range, often introducing noise and sacrificing finer tonal gradations.

In our lab tests and field shooting, I observed the following:

• Dynamic Range: The Olympus E-P3 scores a solid 10.1 EV on dynamic range (DxOmark), enabling it to retain highlight and shadow details more gracefully - valuable for landscapes and high-contrast scenes. The Sony’s dynamic range is limited by the small sensor, leading to clipped highlights and crushed shadows under challenging lighting.

• Color Depth: Olympus measures at 20.8 bits, delivering rich color gradations and nuanced skin tones. Sony’s smaller sensor and processing pipeline fall behind in achieving the same depth and smoothness.

• Low Light ISO Performance: Olympus extends to ISO 12800 native with usable results up to ISO 1600-3200 when noise reduction is enabled. The Sony officially maxes out at ISO 3200 natively, with ISO 12800 as boosted, but the noise is more severe due to sensor size.

Here are some representative sample images from both cameras illustrating these points in real-world scenes:

Olympus E P3 front Olympus E P3 screen back Sony HX350 front Sony HX350 screen back

Summary of Image Quality:

• Olympus’s larger sensor produces cleaner, richer images with better shadow and highlight retention.
• Sony’s sensor favors resolution but compromises noise control and dynamic range.
• For photographers who prize image fidelity, especially in challenging lighting, Olympus has the edge.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed in Action

Autofocus performance can make or break shoots involving movement or fleeting moments. Let’s explore how these two fare in focusing technology, speed, and accuracy.

The Olympus E-P3 uses contrast-detection AF with 35 focus points and face detection capabilities. Although not the fastest by today’s standards, its AF is quite accurate and capable of continuous focus tracking (“AF-Continuous”) usable for moderately active subjects.

Conversely, the Sony HX350 incorporates a simpler contrast-detection system without face-tracking or eye AF, and Sony does not specify the number of focus points. It offers basic AF modes including Single, Continuous, and Multi-area, but lacks advanced tracking functions.

Here’s a summary of my autofocus testing across various scenarios:

• Portraits and Eye Detection: Olympus’s face detection performs well for steady subjects, capturing sharp focus on eyes consistently. Sony’s system dated more quickly here and sometimes hunted, especially in low light.

• Wildlife and Sports: Neither camera is designed for professional wildlife or sports, yet Olympus’s AF tracking manages moderate movement better than Sony’s less sophisticated implementation. However, Olympus’s continuous burst rate (3 fps) is quite limited compared to modern standards, and Sony can shoot at a faster 10 fps burst but with less reliable tracking.

• Macro and Close-up: Olympus offers precise manual focus aids and touch AF, making it easier to nail focus on intricate subjects. Sony's autofocus can struggle with very close focusing despite a 1 cm macro mode.

So overall, Olympus shines with more versatile and accurate AF performance, especially for portraits and moving subjects, whereas Sony’s HX350 autofocus is adequate for casual shooting but less reliable under pressure.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

In cameras, a robust and weather-sealed build often translates to confidence when shooting outdoors or in adverse conditions.

Unfortunately, neither the Olympus E-P3 nor Sony HX350 offer environmental sealing, so both require caution around dust, rain, or extreme temperatures. Olympus’s magnesium alloy front plate lends a slightly sturdier feel, while the HX350’s plastic construction is less premium but well assembled.

Given their relatively compact and lightweight designs, neither camera is shock or freezeproof, limiting rugged use cases.

Ergonomics and User Interface: How User-Friendly Are They?

A camera’s interface can accelerate your workflow or frustrate you, especially during fast-paced shoots.

The Olympus E-P3 features a 3-inch fixed 3:2 OLED touchscreen with modest 614k dot resolution, enhanced by an anti-fingerprint coating. This screen aids intuitive menu navigation, quick focus selection, and image playback. However, the lack of a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) can hamper composition in bright daylight; Olympus offered an optional EVF accessory.

The Sony HX350 has a 3-inch tilting LCD screen with higher 922k dot resolution, but no touchscreen functionality. Its EVF is a small electronic unit with 202k dot resolution and offers 100% coverage, helpful when shooting under bright sun or for precise framing.

On the control side, Olympus’s physical dials and buttons coupled with touchscreen provide faster manual setting adjustments. Sony’s interface, while comprehensive, involves more button presses due to the lack of touchscreen input, slowing quick parameter changes.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Selecting a camera with a rich lens ecosystem expands creative horizons.

• The Olympus E-P3 uses the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount, boasting over 100 native lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party manufacturers. This system provides everything from ultra-wide primes, fast portraits, professional telephotos, to specialized macro optics.

• The Sony HX350 has a fixed 24-1200 mm equivalent zoom lens (50x optical zoom), made for versatility but with compromises in maximum aperture and optical quality at extremes. No option to change lenses means you’re limited to this single superzoom lens.

If lens variety and optical quality matter to you, Olympus’s interchangeable system decisively wins. Sony’s all-in-one zoom is convenient but sacrifices ultimate image quality and lens flexibility.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Battery longevity is key for travel and fast shooting days.

• Olympus E-P3 employs the BLS-5 battery pack, rated for approximately 330 shots per charge, slightly above average for mirrorless cameras of that generation. It supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and has one card slot.

• Sony HX350 uses proprietary battery packs with an official rating of about 300 shots per charge, consistent with compact bridge cameras. Storage supports both SD cards and Memory Stick Pro Duo, which is less common but relevant if you have existing Sony media.

Both cameras offer single-card slots and no direct USB charging; carrying spares is advisable for extended outings.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Connectivity drives modern workflows, although both cameras are from earlier eras.

Neither the Olympus E-P3 nor Sony HX350 includes wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) or GPS features. Both have basic HDMI outputs and USB 2.0 ports for tethering or file transfer but lack remote app control.

This omission means photographers wanting instant social sharing or mobile control will need additional accessories or choose newer models.

Video Capabilities: What Can These Cameras Capture?

Video recording has become an essential feature even for photographers.

• The Olympus E-P3 records Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps in AVCHD or Motion JPEG format. It includes manual exposure controls during video and offers decent in-body image stabilization. However, it lacks a microphone input, limiting audio options.

• The Sony HX350 also supports 1080p video, but only at 30 fps, with MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. It has optical image stabilization in the lens but no external mic or headphone jacks.

Neither camera offers 4K recording or advanced video features found in recent models, but Olympus’s higher frame rate and manual control give it a slight advantage for casual videographers.

Photography Genre Suitability: Matching Performance with Your Passion

To make this comparison actionable, here is how both cameras perform across popular photography genres, backed by personal testing experience:

Overall Performance Ratings

Drawing on DxOmark scores and my hands-on experience testing image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, and versatility, here is a consolidated view:

• The Olympus E-P3 ranks higher overall, benefiting from its larger sensor, lens ecosystem, and superior image quality.
• The Sony HX350 gains points for zoom versatility and ease of use as a one-lens camera but is limited by sensor size and AF tech.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choose the Olympus E-P3 if:

• You want better image quality, cleaner low-light performance, and superior dynamic range.
• You prefer interchangeable lenses to suit varied photography styles and creative ambitions.
• You value a compact, lightweight, tactile camera with manual controls and touchscreen.
• Your focus includes portraits, landscapes, macro, and video with flexibility.
• You are willing to live without wireless features but want RAW capture and future-proof workflow integration.

Choose the Sony HX350 if:

• You need superzoom convenience in one camera with a massive 24-1200 mm equivalent zoom.
• Portability is less critical than having a reach-all lens for casual wildlife, travel, or event shooting.
• You prefer an SLR-style bridge camera with an electronic viewfinder and longer battery endurance.
• You don’t require raw files or interchangeable lenses and want simplicity.
• Budget constraints push you toward an affordable solution offering versatile focal lengths.

What to Keep in Mind Before Buying

• Both cameras are aging models without the latest wireless connectivity or 4K video.
• Sensor and AF technologies have advanced considerably since their release.
• Consider your primary photography genres: lenses and sensor size dramatically impact your ability to capture the images you want.
• Try handling both if possible, to judge ergonomics and interface comfort firsthand.
• For a professional or enthusiast workflow, the Olympus E-P3’s RAW support and lens flexibility are invaluable.

Wrap-Up

The Olympus PEN E-P3 and Sony HX350 serve different photographic philosophies: Olympus aims at image quality and creative control in a compact body, while Sony offers an all-in-one zoom-centric approach for maximum reach at the expense of sensor size and lens flexibility.

My extensive testing shows that the E-P3 remains a strong choice for photographers seeking high-quality images and adaptability, while the HX350 is a capable superzoom bridge camera fit for convenience-oriented users prioritizing versatility over ultimate image fidelity.

Why you can trust this review: I personally tested both cameras across multiple scenarios, comparing sensor outputs, autofocus consistency, and handling ergonomics. By balancing specs with real-world function, this assessment honors both cameras’ niches and guides you toward the best fit for your creative vision.

Happy shooting!

[Related Reading: How to Choose the Right Camera for Your Photography Style]
[Download Sample Image Sets and Raw Files for Comparative Editing]