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Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung NX3000

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Samsung NX3000 front
Portability
89
Imaging
64
Features
62
Overall
63

Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung NX3000 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(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
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Samsung NX3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 230g - 117 x 66 x 39mm
  • Launched May 2014
  • Succeeded the Samsung NX2000
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung NX3000 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Olympus E-PL1 and Samsung NX3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Samsung. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and NX3000 (20MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and NX3000 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1 was announced 5 years before the NX3000 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-PL1 matches up versus the NX3000 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Samsung NX3000

 E-PL1 NX3000 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX3000 over the Olympus E-PL1

 NX3000 E-PL1 
LaunchedMay 2014May 2010Fresher by 49 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Samsung NX3000

 E-PL1 NX3000 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung NX3000 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys outside dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Samsung NX3000 has dimensions of 117mm x 66mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL1 and Samsung NX3000 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL1 compared to the NX3000.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung NX3000 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and NX3000 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung NX3000 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung NX3000 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The photograph underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and NX3000.

To sum up, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Samsung NX3000 will show more detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older E-PL1 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung NX3000 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung NX3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung NX3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography information
Samsung NX3000 Portrait photography information
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
78
manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography highlights
Samsung NX3000 Street photography highlights
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
81
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (230 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography information
Samsung NX3000 Sports photography information
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low battery power (290 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
57
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography factors
Samsung NX3000 Travel photography factors
52
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low battery power (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition in class (230 grams)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography details
Samsung NX3000 Landscape photography details
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12MP)
low battery power (290 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging highlights
Samsung NX3000 Vlogging highlights
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
34
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (230 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung NX3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Samsung NX3000
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Samsung NX3000
General Information
Make Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Samsung NX3000
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-05-17 2014-05-26
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 35
Cross focus points - 1
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Number of lenses 107 32
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 gr (0.74 pounds) 230 gr (0.51 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 117 x 66 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 370 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 B740
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2-30 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $288 $897