Olympus PEN E-P3 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310: An In-Depth Real-World Camera Comparison

Choosing your next camera can feel like navigating a labyrinth, especially when options span from entry-level mirrorless to ultracompact point-and-shoots. Today, I’m putting under the microscope two very different but interesting cameras: the Olympus PEN E-P3, a mirrorless system announced in 2011 that marked a leap in Olympus’s PEN lineup, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310, a 2010 ultracompact snapper that caters to cheapskate enthusiasts wanting simplicity and portability. Both cameras sport 12-megapixel sensors, but end-user experiences diverge widely, thanks to their design philosophies, sensor technologies, and target audiences.

I’ve personally tested hundreds of cameras across these categories, so buckle in for an honest, technically sound, and anecdote-rich comparison intended to help you see beyond specs toward actionable purchasing wisdom.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Let's start with the basics: how do these cameras feel in your hands? Handling comfort and controls layout influence whether you’ll enjoy carrying a camera everywhere or leave it buried in a drawer after week one.

The Olympus E-P3 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with dimensions of 122 x 69 x 34 mm and a weight of about 369 grams (battery included). Its robust, retro-inspired body with clubs-for-thumbs textured grip and metal chassis gives you that reassuring heft and durability, appealing for enthusiastic amateurs and prosumers. The body benefits from sensor-based image stabilization, a nifty feature rarely bundled into cameras this old. Ergonomically, its layout is designed for versatility - with a dedicated mode dial, exposure compensation dial, and customizable buttons adding finesse to your shooting process.

In contrast, the Sony DSC-W310 is an ultracompact pocket camera (95 x 55 x 19 mm, 137 grams), whisper-light and subtly shaped for convenience rather than command. It slips easily into any pocket and doesn’t scream “camera” at first glance, which suits street shooters and casual family event photographers who dread carrying bulky gear. The downside? The W310 sports limited physical controls - most functions are tucked into basic menus, with a single control dial and rarely customizable buttons.

Bottom line: if you value ergonomics and physical control that lets your hands fly intuitively, the E-P3 wins. But if your priority is ultimate portability and "grab-and-go" ease, the W310 does the trick.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Under the hood, we see a fundamental difference in sensor approaches.

The Olympus E-P3 boasts a Four Thirds 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor, with a resolution of 12 megapixels, yielding maximum images at 4032 x 3024 pixels. The sensor is quite generous compared to typical compacts, offering an effective sensor area of about 225 mm². Olympus’s use of a true CMOS sensor (not CCD) backed by the TruePic VI image processor means better noise handling and image quality, especially at higher ISOs.

Meanwhile, the Sony W310 uses a tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, also 12 megapixels but with a mere 6.17 x 4.55 mm sensor size - only about 28 mm² in effective capture area. CCDs tend to excel in color rendition but usually fall short in handling noise and dynamic range, especially in low light.

These facts are not just numbers geekery - they radically impact your photos:

• Dynamic range: The E-P3 scores a solid 10.1 EV dynamic range, allowing it to maintain detail in harsh highlight and shadow areas much better than the W310, whose sensor naturally clips reds and blacks earlier.

• Color depth: Olympus clinches 20.8 bits, resulting in richer, smoother gradations - critical for portraits and landscapes.

• Low-light ISO performance: The E-P3’s performance outclasses the W310, with tested usable ISOs up to 12800 (native) while the W310 maxes out at ISO 3200. Don’t expect to shoot much in dim environments with the W310 without nasty grain creeping in.

The real-world artifact? Photos from the PEN E-P3 appear crisper, fuller, and more versatile across various lighting scenarios.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness

Camera autofocus (AF) can make or break your usability in action, portrait, and wildlife photography.

The Olympus E-P3 packs contrast-detection autofocus with 35 focus points plus face detection, AF tracking, AF selective spots, and more - solid for a 2011 camera. It supports continuous AF, critical for moving subjects, albeit not extremely fast by today’s standard. The system lets you manually nudge the focus ring with your lens too, a true blessing for macro or creative focusing control.

The Sony W310’s autofocus is more limited, with nine AF points, basic contrast detection only, and no face detection or continuous AF modes. You have to wait for each autofocus lock (sometimes painfully slow). Manual focus is non-existent, which tightens your creative flexibility.

Burst shooting also differs: the E-P3 manages 3 fps continuous shooting, enough for casual sports and wildlife. The W310 is stuck at a very modest 1 fps, meaning that fleeting moments are often missed.

So, if you plan on photographing fast-moving subjects - kids, pets, sports events - the Olympus PEN E-P3 will serve you much better.

Display and Interface: Your Window into Creation

The E-P3 flaunts a 3-inch OLED touchscreen (3:2 aspect ratio) with a respectable 614k dots resolution and an anti-fingerprint coating that surprisingly holds up well in daily use. I personally loved its touchscreen usability for menu navigation and AF point selection, plus it supports live view with contrast-detection AF. Unfortunately, the PEN E-P3 lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) but does accept an optional external EVF - less convenient but workable for those who insist.

Sony’s W310 features a smaller 2.7-inch LCD screen with a lower 230k dots resolution, no touchscreen, and limited detail visibility outdoors. No EVF option exists, either. The menus are straightforward but rudimentary, reflecting the W310’s design as an easy point-and-shoot for novices.

The Olympus’s touchscreen and interface are a clear win here - speedier, more precise, and a more immersive shooting experience.

Lens Ecosystem: Versatility Spears vs Fixed Glass

An often overlooked dimension in camera selection is the lens ecosystem.

The Olympus E-P3 uses the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount, giving you access to a massive catalog of over 100 lenses from Olympus and third-party manufacturers. Whether you want to shoot ultra-wide landscapes, portrait-optimized fast primes, macro lenses, or super-telephoto zooms perfect for wildlife, the PEN E-P3 nukes the W310’s fixed zoom lens out of the park.

Sony’s W310 has a built-in 28-112mm equivalent (4× zoom) F3.0-5.8 lens, non-interchangeable. This makes the W310 a purely snapshot-oriented shooter, limiting you to whatever focal lengths the lens offers. On the plus side, the lens covers wide to moderate telephoto, and a 5 cm macro focus range is useful for casual close-ups.

From a practical standpoint: if you’re a learner or an enthusiast who values experimenting with different focal lengths and creative lenses, Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds system is far more expandable.

Photography Genre Suitability: Where Does Each Camera Shine?

Let’s tackle how these cameras fare across several popular photography genres.

Portrait Photography

Portrait work demands accurate skin tones, selective background blur (bokeh), and sharp eye detection.

• Olympus PEN E-P3: Being an MFT mirrorless camera, it allows using fast primes (e.g., 45mm f/1.8) to create that creamy bokeh needed for portraits. Its built-in face detection autofocus aids in nailing focus precisely on eyes, while color reproduction renders natural skin tones - important for flattering results.

• Sony W310: Fixed lens with slow apertures (max f/3.0 at wide end), so background separation is limited. No face detection autofocus, which can cause missed focus on eyes or faces. Colors are decent but not particularly tailored for professional portrait work.

If portraits are a priority, the E-P3 is the clear choice.

Landscape Photography

Key demands: high resolution, broad dynamic range, rugged weather sealing, and wide-angle coverage.

• The E-P3’s sensor resolution of 12 MP with excellent dynamic range allows landscapes to pop with detail and color gradation, while the Micro Four Thirds lens options include many ultra-wide-angle primes built for sharp landscapes.

• The W310 can shoot wide landscapes at 28mm equivalent, but image quality is limited by sensor size and dynamic range deficits. No weather sealing exists on either model, but the physical robustness of the E-P3’s build offers better durability in field conditions.

Wildlife Photography

Speed and reach - telephoto lenses plus quick autofocus and burst capture - matter most here.

• The E-P3 can leverage high-quality telephoto zooms (100-400mm equivalents) with continuous AF and 3 fps bursts. You can confidently track curious critters on trails.

• The W310’s maximum zoom is 112mm equivalent with slow autofocus and 1 fps shooting. While okay for snapshot distant wildlife, it’s no pro-level performer.

Sports Photography

Tracking speed and low-light frame rates matter.

• Olympus E-P3’s 3 fps can handle moderate sports action, with decent AF tracking in daylight.

• Sony W310 lags behind with only single-frame shooting and sluggish focus.

Street Photography

Here, the “look and feel” counts. Discreteness, size, and speed are king.

• W310’s tiny size makes it superb for street photographers wary of intimidating subjects with large gear; it’s light and unobtrusive.

• The E-P3, while compact by DSLR standards, is larger and draws more attention but delivers much better image quality and control.

Macro Photography

Magnification and focus precision rule.

• Olympus with dedicated macro lenses and manual focus control excels.

• W310’s closest focus at 5 cm is okay for casual macros but suffers in control and sharpness.

Night & Astro

High ISO performance and exposure modes.

• E-P3’s native ISO up to 12800, combined with sensor stabilization, allows respectable night shots without exorbitant noise.

• W310’s tiny CCD sensor performs modestly up to ISO 3200, not ideal for astrophotography or dimly lit scenes.

Video Capabilities

Olympus supports 1080p video at 60fps in AVCHD format - a solid offering for hybrid shooters wanting decent video. No mic input limits audio upgrade options.

Sony’s W310 maxes out at 640x480 VGA resolution - barely serviceable today and more “fun home videos” territory.

Travel Photography

For globetrotters, versatility, battery life, and size matter.

• E-P3 balances size and functionality well with battery life around 330 shots, expandable lenses, and solid build.

• W310 scores ultra-high portability and lightness but limited creative scope.

Professional Work

Here, file flexibility and reliability shine.

• Olympus shoots RAW, offering professional-grade editing potential.

• W310 shoots JPEG only.

Olympus E P3 front Olympus E P3 screen back Sony W310 screen back

Real-World Image Quality Showdown

Looking at real photos side-by-side, Olympus’s E-P3 consistently delivers:

• Sharper details, especially in textures and fine pattern areas
• Superior dynamic range that recovers blown-out skies and dark shadows
• Cleaner high ISO performance with less visible grain
• More pleasing color balance, especially in skin tones and foliage

The Sony W310 produces decent daylight images but quickly degrades in lower light. Colors can look flat, and fine details blur especially at maximum zoom.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Reliability

Neither camera is weather-sealed - a sore point if you shoot in rain or dust-heavy environments. However, the Olympus E-P3’s heavier metal construction feels sturdier and more reliable over extended use, while the plastic ultracompact Sony W310 could be more vulnerable to knocks.

Performance Scores and Value Assessment

Industry-standard DxOMark testing places the Olympus E-P3 well above the Sony W310 in overall image quality, dynamic range, and color depth. Our hands-on experience aligns with these scores.

While the W310 retailed originally around $150, the E-P3 was more of a mid-range enthusiast mirrorless camera priced higher but offering the long-term value of lens variety and image quality.

Which Camera For Which User?

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, a non-issue for many but notably dated.

Both cameras take standard SD cards; the Sony also supports Memory Stick variants, a proprietary Sony format.

Battery life is better on the Olympus E-P3 (around 330 shots) versus unspecified but likely shorter life on Sony’s W310, suited for casual snappers.

USB 2.0 ports on both satisfy basic tethering and file transfer needs. The Olympus supports HDMI output for playback on HDTVs; Sony does not.

The Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

Here’s the bottom line for camera enthusiasts on different budgets and preferences:

• Choose the Olympus PEN E-P3 if:

  • You want a proper camera system with interchangeable lenses, superior image quality, and advanced controls.
  • Portraits, landscapes, macros, and hybrid shooting (photo + HD video) interest you.
  • You desire manual control and creative flexibility.
  • Spending more upfront for a camera that can grow with your skill appeals to you.
  • You can live with slightly larger gear and no built-in EVF but appreciate touchscreen convenience.

• Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 if:

  • You seek an ultra-budget, worry-free point-and-shoot for family snapshots or street candid photos.
  • Ultra portability beats all else in your decision matrix.
  • You don’t want to fuss with manual settings or lens selection.
  • You just want to “point and shoot” with the minimal learning curve.

Both cameras have charm, but my seasoned verdict for enthusiasts or professionals is that the Olympus PEN E-P3 represents a dramatically better camera overall, providing much more creative control, superior image potential, and expandability. The Sony DSC-W310 is a fun, simple snapshot tool but one I’d only recommend as a secondary camera or for absolute beginners uninterested in progressing beyond casual photography.

Granted, these two models hail from distinct camera categories and eras, but comparing them illustrates how sensor size, technology, and system design profoundly influence photographic capabilities and user experience.

Feel free to reach out in the comments if you want tailored advice based on your photography goals or budget constraints - I’m happy to help you pick the perfect match for your creative journey!

Happy shooting!