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Olympus E-P7 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
86
Imaging
63
Features
84
Overall
71
Olympus PEN E-P7 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Olympus E-P7 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Olympus E-P7
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 337g - 118 x 69 x 38mm
  • Introduced June 2021
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-C3
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Olympus E-P7 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus E-P7 and Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the E-P7 (20MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) and the E-P7 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3 (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

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The E-P7 was revealed 11 years after the NEX-3 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-P7 scores versus the NEX-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P7 over the Sony NEX-3

 E-P7 NEX-3 
AnnouncedJune 2021June 2010Newer by 134 months
Display resolution1040k920kClearer display (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Olympus E-P7

 NEX-3 E-P7 

Common features in the Olympus E-P7 and Sony NEX-3

 E-P7 NEX-3 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3.00"3"Equivalent display sizing

Olympus E-P7 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P7 has got physical dimensions of 118mm x 69mm x 38mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") having a weight of 337 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P7 and Sony NEX-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the E-P7 against the NEX-3.

Olympus E-P7 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P7 and NEX-3 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-P7 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P7 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions only by going over technical specs. The image here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P7 and NEX-3.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-P7 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Olympus E-P7 will offer greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern E-P7 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus E-P7 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P7 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P7 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P7 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography factors
77
has manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW files
72
focusing manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P7 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Street photography camera
86
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
76
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P7 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
73
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
has no phase detect auto focus
52
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P7 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography advice
87
has bluetooth
boasts touch focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
59
good resolution (14MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P7
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
83
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3.00")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
68
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3")
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P7
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3
80
selfie friendly display
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lack of microphone support
27
offers face detect focusing
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
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Olympus E-P7 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P7 and Sony NEX-3
 Olympus PEN E-P7Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-P7 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2021-06-09 2010-06-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 118 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.00 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 8.7 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.40 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash off, Red-eye Slow sync. (1st curtain), Slow sync. (1st curtain), Slow sync. (2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB BLS-50 lithium-ion battery & USB charger USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 337 gr (0.74 lbs) 297 gr (0.65 lbs)
Dimensions 118 x 69 x 38mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 68
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.0
DXO Low light score not tested 830
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 330 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $800 $0