Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A65
86 Imaging
47 Features
60 Overall
52
64 Imaging
62 Features
85 Overall
71
Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A65 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
- Launched August 2011
- Succeeded the Olympus E-P2
- Updated by Olympus E-P5
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
- Introduced November 2011
- New Model is Sony A68
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On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-P3 and Sony A65, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and A65 (24MP) and the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and A65 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe E-P3 was launched 3 months before the A65 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A65 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-P3 scores versus the A65 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-P3 & Sony SLT-A65. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-P3 Gallery & Sony A65 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Sony A65
| E-P3 | A65 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Olympus E-P3
| A65 | E-P3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 614k | Clearer screen (+307k dot) | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Sony A65
| E-P3 | A65 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | August 2011 | November 2011 | Same age | |
| Focus manually | Very accurate focusing | |||
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P3 offers physical dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") having a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Sony A65 has dimensions of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-P3 and Sony A65 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-P3 versus the A65.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and A65 is 86 and 64 respectively.
Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing specifications. The visual underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and A65.
Plainly, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-P3 due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A65 will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots more aggressively.
Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-P3 vs Sony A65 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-P3 | Sony SLT-A65 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Olympus | Sony |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-P3 | Sony SLT-A65 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Launched | 2011-08-17 | 2011-11-15 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | TruePic VI | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 24MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Highest boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Total focus points | 35 | 15 |
| Cross type focus points | - | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Available lenses | 107 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 614k dot | 921k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen technology | 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.73x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) | 10.00 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash sync | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 369 grams (0.81 lbs) | 622 grams (1.37 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") | 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 51 | 74 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 20.8 | 23.4 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.1 | 12.6 |
| DXO Low light rating | 536 | 717 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 330 photographs | 560 photographs |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLS-5 | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Price at launch | $0 | $700 |