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Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
85
Imaging
53
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-P5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs

Olympus E-P5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 420g - 122 x 69 x 37mm
  • Introduced October 2013
  • Replaced the Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Launched September 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
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Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Olympus E-P5 and Olympus E-PL3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both are offered by Olympus. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-P5 (16MP) and E-PL3 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-P5 was revealed 2 years after the E-PL3 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-P5 matches up against the E-PL3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P5 over the Olympus E-PL3

 E-P5 E-PL3 
LaunchedOctober 2013September 2011Newer by 25 months
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus E-P5

 E-PL3 E-P5 

Common features in the Olympus E-P5 and Olympus E-PL3

 E-P5 E-PL3 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P5 comes with exterior measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL3 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P5 and Olympus E-PL3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-P5 compared to the E-PL3.

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P5 and E-PL3 is 85 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through a spec sheet. The picture below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P5 and E-PL3.

Clearly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Olympus E-P5 to produce greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more recent E-P5 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P5
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL3
71
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/320 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P5 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Street photography camera
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
provides focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
heavier than competitors in class (420 grams)
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P5 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
68
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
lack of phase detect auto focus
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
not so great battery (300 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography factors
68
provides focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
heavier than competitors in class (420 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
44
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery (300 shots)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P5
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL3
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
61
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
not so great battery (300 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Vlogging info
Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging info
33
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (420 grams)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
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Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P5 and Olympus E-PL3
 Olympus PEN E-P5Olympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-P5 Olympus PEN E-PL3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-10-03 2011-09-20
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Truepic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech 3:2 LCD capacitive touchscreen HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (1st or 2nd curtain), Manual (1/1 - 1/64) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/320 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 420g (0.93 pounds) 313g (0.69 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 52
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 20.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 10.3
DXO Low light score 895 499
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 300 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $389 $399