Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-3
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Introduced May 2010
- Successor is Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Introduced April 2014
- Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-3 Overview
In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe E-PL1 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the K-3 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-PL1 scores versus the K-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL1 & Pentax K-3. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery & Pentax K-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax K-3
E-PL1 | K-3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-PL1
K-3 | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2014 | May 2010 | More modern by 47 months | |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
Screen resolution | 1037k | 230k | Clearer screen (+807k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-3
E-PL1 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | Very accurate focus | |||
Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
Touch screen | No Touch screen |
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 features external measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL1 compared to the K-3.
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and K-3 is 86 and 59 respectively.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes just by seeing technical specs. The picture below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and K-3.
As you can tell, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL1 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-3 will show more detail having an extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Pentax K-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Pentax K-3 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2010-05-17 | 2014-04-10 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Truepic V | Prime III |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 6016 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 51200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 27 |
Cross type focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 107 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | 3.2" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 1,037 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 8.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/160 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 334 grams (0.74 lbs) | 800 grams (1.76 lbs) |
Dimensions | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 54 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.5 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.1 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 487 | 1216 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 images | 560 images |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-1 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | Two |
Launch cost | $288 | $639 |